Vancouver man appears in court in parking dispute

A Vancouver man suspected of trying to stab his roommate over a parking spot dispute made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court.

Robert I. Emmons, 33, appeared on suspicion of first-degree assault in connection with the Friday incident at a Vancouver residence.

Vancouver police responded to a reported disturbance involving a knife at 4513 N.E. 12th Court. The victim, Mark Pipes, and multiple witnesses said that Emmons arrived home and was upset that Pipes was parked in his parking spot in the driveway, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

Emmons confronted Pipes and began to yell at him. He then charged at Pipes and pulled out a small knife from his pocket, the affidavit said.

Pipes said he grabbed an aluminum ladder and held it in front of him to protect himself. Emmons then said, “I’m going to kill you,” court records state. Emmons reportedly swung the knife toward Pipes’ face, but he blocked the knife using the ladder, according to court documents.

Emmons’ mother then stepped between the men, and Emmons left the residence before police arrived, the affidavit said.

When Emmons returned to the residence, he was arrested.

During his court appearance, Judge Bernard Veljacic appointed defense attorney Sean Downs to represent Emmons and set his bail at $20,000.

He will be arraigned June 17.