Payette police seek help with case
Officials want assistance from public on stolen vehicle incident
By ARGUS OBSERVER STAFF REPORTS
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:08 AM PST
PAYETTE — The Payette Police Department is seeking information from the public regarding an incident that occurred Monday night in front of the state liquor store in Payette centered around a stolen vehicle.
Police responded to the liquor store just before 8 p.m. and interviewed Ryan Huggins, 24, Weiser, who reported his 1995 blue Dodge Neon was stolen while he was inside the building, PPD Capt. Dave Platt said.
Platt said Huggins had left his engine running and his doors unlocked at the time of the incident. Platt said while Huggins was inside, a heavyset, Hispanic male with long hair attempted to leave in his vehicle. Huggins realized his car was driving away without him so he ran out of the store, sprinted up to vehicle, banged on the windows, trying to get the individual to stop.
Platt said Huggins reported the man picked up a shotgun that was left in the vehicle and started to point it at him.
“The shotgun was loaded, so he chose not to continue to go after this guy,” Platt said.
The vehicle was found abandoned later by police, but the shotgun was missing. Platt said there was no damage to the vehicle. He also said around the same time the vehicle was stolen, a white Volkswagen Jetta driven by a clean-cut, thin Hispanic male was seen leaving the vicinity, and police are not sure if the person who stole the Dodge Neon was dropped off by the driver of the Jetta prior to the car theft. So far, police do not have any suspects.
“So if anybody has any information about the incident, we would greatly appreciate their help,” Platt said. People with information can call the Payette Police Department at (208) 642-6026.
