PORT ANGELES — A homeless woman who police said threatened to kill a young boy in downtown Port Angeles before stealing $5 appeared in Clallam County Superior court Thursday and was released from custody without bail.
Kathy J. Venegoni, 47, described as a transient woman from Illinois, was charged with second-degree robbery and is scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. Friday, July 27.
“I’m giving you a shot to prove yourself,” Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour told Venegoni. “If you come before this court again on any kind of issue we’re going to set bail and you’re going to be sitting in the jail.”
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney April King asked for bail to be set at $1,000.
Port Angeles police received a report at about 8 p.m. Wednesday that a woman had threatened to kill a 12-year-old boy on Railroad Avenue and quickly identified the suspect as Venegoni, according to court records.
Deputy Chief Jason Viada said police have become familiar with Venegoni in the past several days.
“She’s been in town the last several days,” he said. “I don’t know when she arrived in Port Angeles, but I’m aware officers have been dealing with her over the last several days and they are familiar with who she is.”
Viada said he had no reason to believe Venegoni had a weapon.
Viada said that shortly after the incident police located her on Marine Drive, about five blocks away.
“Venegoni invited Officer [Harold] Balderson to accompany her to a marijuana store, but instead Officer Balderson arrested Venegoni,” Viada said in an email.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.