PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for investigation of robbery and assault after deputies said a man was attacked near a trail west of Port Angeles.
Roger Tinoco, 27, of Port Angeles has been booked into the Clallam County jail on investigation of first-degree robbery, possession of methamphetamine and fourth-degree assault.
Deputies were called to the 700 block of Dan Kelly Road regarding a man bleeding from his head and ear. He told deputies that his wallet and cellphone had been stolen by a group of people.
The 39-year-old man told deputies that he had been approached by Tinoco and two other people near the Goodwill store on Lincoln Street in Port Angeles. He said he was acquainted with all of them.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said the department is withholding the names of the injured man and the two other people involved in the incident because the investigation is ongoing.
The man also told deputies that Tinoco and several other people took him in a car to a parking area at Dan Kelly and Colville roads, near the Olympic Adventure Route. Once there, they attacked him, he said.
What happened during the attack isn’t yet clear, King said. Investigators are still working to determine how the wound was caused, he added.
“We don’t know the exact weapon yet that was used,” he said. “The injury is unique in appearance is the best way to put it.”
After the group left the man, he went to a nearby home and called for help, King said. He was then taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles for treatment, which included 17 stitches to his ear.
King said the injury appears to have jarred the man’s memory of the attack. He said deputies are still working to determine to what degree the other two people were involved.
With help from Lower Elwha Tribal Police, Clallam deputies located Tinoco’s vehicle in the 2000 block of Lower Elwha Road.
Deputies obtained a search warrant and detained Tinoco and two other passengers. In the search, deputies report they found a CO2 pistol, knives, drug paraphernalia and small bags of methamphetamine.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
