Ridgefield man pleads guilty in series of auto prowls

A Ridgefield man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to jail time on Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court for his role in a string of Ridgefield auto prowls.

Ridgefield police alleged that Drake Krotalus Price, 19, and George Thomas Stern, 18, were responsible for at least 13 auto prowls reported over the summer in the Heron Ridge, Bellwood Heights, Pioneer Canyon and Cedar Ridge neighborhoods.

On Sept. 1, Ridgefield police Officer Craig Wattson responded to an auto prowl in progress on South Second Street. A witness chased the suspects on foot until they got into a blue car and drove away, east on Pioneer Street, according to court documents. The officer, who saw the blue car in the distance, followed it and pulled over the car in the 29900 block of Northwest 31st Avenue.

Wattson recognized Stern as the driver, court documents said. The passenger, Price, had a loaded .45 caliber pistol under his left leg, on the front seat, court documents said.

Stern, while being interviewed by Wattson, admitted that the pair had been prowling cars and stole a loaded firearm from a pickup. He said he stole the gun out of the pickup, and Price later held it while they prowled other vehicles, court documents said. Stern also said that he and Price stole money and electronics from vehicles.

Price denied that they had been prowling vehicles and became verbally hostile with the officer, according to court documents.

Price was convicted of second-degree vehicle prowling, second-degree theft and attempted bail jumping. He’s already served his 60-day jail sentence for the crimes. According to court documents, Price is believed to be homeless and unemployed.

Stern’s case is still pending. He is scheduled to next appear in court on April 23. He’s barred from contact with Price.