A man calling himself “Allah” appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Monday on suspicion of burglarizing a residence in the Harney Heights neighborhood, then trying to make off with the family’s garden tools despite confrontations with an edger-wielding neighbor and a police officer who threatened to use deadly force.
The man, who refused to give any personal information, including his legal name, faces charges of first-degree burglary, residential burglary, third-degree malicious mischief and displaying a weapon.
Judge John Nichols held him on $200,000 bail and appointed Vancouver attorney Jeff Barrar to defend him. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Friday.
Vancouver police were called to the residence in the 3800 block of East Mill Plain Boulevard about 10:49 a.m. Friday on a neighbor’s report of an intruder in the home’s backyard.
The neighbor unsuccessfully attempted to scare away the suspect by threatening him with an edger, according to court records.
Vancouver police Officer Keith Tyler wrote in a court affidavit that he entered the backyard and announced himself to the suspect.
“‘This is my house; get the (expletive) out of here, or I will kill you,” the suspect allegedly said to the officer.
Tyler said he saw the suspect carrying some tools and heading toward a gate.
Tyler ordered the suspect to stop and drop the tools.
Instead, the suspect entered a tool shed and reemerged armed with two crow bars, according to the affidavit. He allegedly started to advance toward the officer.
“(He was looking right through me and telling me he was going to kill me,” the officer wrote. Tyler said he drew his pistol, but the suspect continued to advance for about 25 feet, despite Tyler’s threats to shoot.
“He faked a move towards me, then slowly started walking back to the shed,” Tyler wrote. The officer called for backup. When the other officers arrived, the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Tyler said it appeared that the suspect had broken into the shed to find tools, which he then used to attempt to break into the residence.
The suspect refused to cooperate with supervised release officers who attempted to interview him. He was referred to as “John Doe” in court documents, but in his court appearance Monday he said his name is “Allah.”
