SEQUIM — Suspects remain at large in Sequim cases of a hit-and-run incident on March 31 and a Kitsap Bank robbery on April 9.
Sequim’s Deputy Police Chief John Southard said last week the cases are “actively under investigation.”
For the hit-and-run, police report they have identified a suspect and issued a warrant but have not been able to locate the person. Southard said they haven’t released the person’s name because they “don’t want to tip our hand.”
“We’re afraid the person might run,” he said. “We’re actively pursuing this person and releasing the name may prohibit us from capturing them.”
On the night of March 31, seventh-grader Colton Dufour, 13, was struck while skateboarding with friends in the 600 block of West Spruce Street. He sustained a head injury and a broken pelvis, according to his mother, Cherie Tachell. He was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and recently transferred to Seattle Children’s for speech and cognitive therapy.
A gofundme account — gofundme.com/f/help-colton-dufour-recover-from-hitandrun- attack — has raised nearly $31,000 of a $35,000 goal for medical expenses.
Sequim McDonald’s held a fundraiser on April 23 where 100 percent of proceeds from food sales in two hours of the dinner shift went to the family’s medical expenses. Organizers said it raised more than $5,200.
“We were so honored to have hosted this fundraiser for Colton and his family at our restaurant, and we’re so grateful for the support from our customers,” said Alefa Eserjose, owner/operator of Sequim McDonald’s. “Our restaurant was happy to provide a place for our city to come together and aid Colton and his family during his recovery. It was incredible to witness the outpouring of love and support from the community at the fundraiser.”
Robbery
Meanwhile, Sequim police continue to review tips related to the April 9 robbery at Kitsap Bank, 1320 W. Washington St.
“We’re continuing to review video and run down any and all tips from the public,” Southard said.
“We’re getting a lot of information and going through anything that comes in, and it takes a lot of time to (do that).”
Police report a white male standing about 6 feet tall with a gray beard and heavy build wearing a blue mask came into the bank about 3:30 p.m. armed with pepper spray. He asked for cash from a teller, and he sprayed the inside of the bank, police said.
The man fled the scene on foot, and eyewitnesses said he may have proceeded to a vehicle and left the vicinity. He took a few thousand dollars, according to police.
No staff or customers were injured.
Staff members were offered counseling services, bank officials said, and the branch was closed April 10. It reopened the following day.
Anyone with information on either case may contact the Sequim Police Department at 360-683-7227 or via email at ContactSPD@sequimwa.gov.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached by email at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.
