Port Angeles man jailed after nighttime manhunt
Published 12:01 am Sunday, September 7, 2014
Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man remained in custody Saturday in the Clallam County jail for investigation of fourth-degree assault after he was tracked by a police dog during a nighttime manhunt near Dry Creek Elementary School.
Ronald Brecheen, 57, was arrested for investigation of fourth-degree assault-domestic violence just after midnight Thursday, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said.
He also was wanted on a pay-or-appear warrant. Bond has been set at $10,000.
An unidentified woman, 41, reported at 11:23 p.m. Wednesday that Brecheen had assaulted her at her residence on Edgewood Drive west of Port Angeles, the Sheriff’s Office said.
She had been punched in the face and dragged by her hair, Sgt. Randy Pieper said. Clallam County Fire District No. 2 medics found that her injuries were minor, he added.
The distraught woman had given deputies to understand that Brecheen had a gun and had threatened her life.
Subsequent investigation found that no firearms were involved, Pieper said.
Brecheen was armed with a hunting knife in a sheath on his belt. The knife was not involved in the assault, Pieper said.
Brecheen had left on foot from the residence in a rural wooded area near Dry Creek Elementary prior to law enforcement arrival, Pieper said.
Deputies and officers with the Port Angeles Police Department and Lower Elwha tribe set up a containment area.
Police dog Bogey, handled by Port Angeles Police Officer Lucas DeGand, tracked Brecheen to a wooded area northwest of the residence, Pieper said.
Deputy Shaun Minks — who, along with Port Angeles Police Sgt. Jesse Winfield, accompanied DeGand during the tracking to serve as backup — arrested Brecheen without incident, Pieper said, adding that Brecheen was not hurt.
