Spring break in Pullman: quiet, but not too quiet

From staff reports

Pullman police responded to a series of incidents during spring break that included a fire, burglaries and reports of mailbox tossing.

“Call volume was down to about half over break, which is nice,” Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said.

Two men were arrested March 18 after they allegedly ripped aluminum mailboxes from the wall of a residential building on the 300 block of Northeast Olsen Street. Tennant said the men were intoxicated and proceeded to throw the mailboxes in a nearby trashcan.

Officers charged Brandon C. Rhodig, 24, and Erik R. Schweitzer, 25, with third-degree malicious mischief.

Police also responded with the Pullman Fire Department to a fire that occurred March 20 outside Higginson’s Flooring Center and Sleep Shop on South Grand Avenue.

Tennant said the fire was started by a lit cigarette butt that was dropped onto a pile of trash and wooden pallets. He said it appeared that damage was minimal. Officers provided traffic control.

Police responded to two reports of burglary that resulted in missing games and other electronics this weekend at Pullman residences.

One incident was reported Saturday from a residence on the 400 block of Northeast Oak Street. A resident told police someone had stolen a flat-screen television and a PlayStation 4 that belonged to his roommate.

Tennant said the person responsible for the missing items most likely entered through an unlocked back door. He said police have no suspects or leads at this time.

The other incident was reported Sunday from a residence on the 500 block of Northeast Kamiaken Street. An Xbox and several video games valued at roughly $400 were reported missing.

Tennant said the residence showed no signs of forced entry, and the person responsible for the missing items most likely entered through an unlocked door.