Vancouver man accused of trying to bribe officer

A Vancouver man has been charged with bribery after allegedly handing a police officer cash during a traffic stop in Battle Ground in January, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Kelemete “Frankie” Gase, 28, appeared in Clark County Superior Court to face the charge Tuesday but required an interpreter, so the hearing was rescheduled, court records show.

Battle Gounnd Police Officer Robert Stucki pulled over Gase shortly after 5:15 a.m. Jan. 17 for driving at high speed in the 900 block of West Main Street and for failing to stay in his lane while turning onto Southwest Fifth Avenue, the affidavit said.

During the traffic stop, Gase reportedly said he didn’t have identification but then produced a California license. While handing the officer his identification, he took money out of his wallet, folded it up and slipped it under the license, according to court documents.

Stucki said he did not initially see Gase put the money there. When he asked Gase what the money was for, Gase nodded his head and said, “for your coffee,” court records said. Stucki told Gase that he doesn’t accept bribes and gave the money back.

Defense attorney Jack Peterson was appointed to represent Gase.

Gase is being held at the Clark County Jail, and has a separate case pending for alleged drug possession, records show.