1. Tri-City Herald: Local http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-printer/story/8910436p-88...
Visit the Tri-City Herald
Jailed man made his own bed; Pot found in W. Richland shed
(w/ video)
This story was published Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007
By Nathan Isaacs, Herald staff writer
Once upon a time, say 7 a.m. on Sunday, there was a 27-year-old Richland man named Benjamin Hales.
He reportedly went for a walk in West Richland. Pretty soon, he came upon a house at 5108 Dove Lane. He allegedly
walked right in.
There wasn't any porridge eaten, according to the police report, but Hales had been drinking.
He apparently also was a little tired. He went into a bedroom and quickly fell asleep in a bed that felt just right.
As he was sleeping, the homeowners came home.
Someone is in our home, said the husband. They looked around and when they got to one of the bedrooms, they found
Hales asleep.
That's when the homeowners called West Richland police. Officers arrived and woke up Hales. He reportedly was only
wearing boxer shorts and couldn't tell police how he ended up there.
He was taken to Benton County jail, on suspicion of criminal trespass, where he was assured of getting an
uncomfortable bed.
Pot found in backyard shed
A 53-year old West Richland man was arrested Monday night after police got a tip that he allegedly was growing
marijuana plants worth an estimated $63,000 in a backyard shed.
Lawrence Tash Orman, 53, was booked into the Benton County jail for suspicion of manufacturing marijuana.
West Richland Police Chief Layne Erdman said police received a tip about 6:30 p.m. and obtained a search warrant. At
11:17 p.m. officers raided Orman's home at 519 S. 40th Ave.
They found pot plants in various stages of growth, from seedlings to plants about three- to four-feet tall, Erdman said.
The mature plants had been harvested of their potent buds.
Erdman said police followed an extension cord to an outdoor shed where most of the plants were being grown.
Police believe the growing operation appeared to getting more sophisticated. "It looks like he's been doing this on a
regular basis," Erdman said.
Police seized the plants and the tools Orman allegedly used to grow them. Erdman said police would destroy the
plants.
Oil leak leaves clue
A 32-year-old alleged drunken driver left a trail of leaking oil early Tuesday that led Kennewick police to him after he
reportedly hit a light pole.
Paul A. Kuhns was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of DUI and hit and run.
1 of 2 7/14/07 2:55 PM

2. Tri-City Herald: Local http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/v-printer/story/8910436p-88...
Police were called about 2 a.m. to the intersection of Union Street and 14th Avenue, where witnesses said they saw a
car crash into a light pole and then drive away.
When officers arrived, they spotted an oil trail, which they followed to 1408 S. Cleveland St.
Transient faces charges
A 26-year-old transient was arrested in Pasco on Monday for his alleged role in a home invasion robbery earlier this
month in Kennewick.
Joseph Charles Metsker was booked Monday into the Franklin County jail on suspicion of possessing an illegal gun. He
was arrested about 3 p.m. at Road 68 and Argent Road.
Kennewick police have identified Metsker as one of two suspects in a May 7 robbery in the 2400 block of W. Sixth
Ave. He has been charged with first-degree robbery in Benton County Superior Court in that case.
About 7:30 a.m. May 7, two men reportedly walked into the home, pointed a gun and demanded cash and the keys to a
1996 Buick Regal. They left with some cash and the car.
Kennewick police Sgt. Scott Child said police have no information on the second suspect.
Three days earlier, Kennewick's Criminal Apprehension Team arrested two women at the house on drug charges.
W. Richland man jailed
Timothy James Strand, 44, was booked into the Benton County jail on Monday after he was arrested by West Richland
police for the alleged illegal possession of prescription drugs.
Strand reportedly accepted a FedEx package mailed to the home of his girlfriend and addressed to her son, according
to police. He reportedly opened the package and took 90 pills of Adderall, which is a stimulant.
Get the entire Tri-City Herald delivered to you at home - subscribe now.
Call 509-586-2138 or 800-750-4967
6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
7-12:00 p.m. Saturdays
7-10:30 a.m. Sundays and holidays
© 2007 Tri-City Herald, Associated Press & Other Wire Services
2 of 2 7/14/07 2:55 PM