FORKS –– Clallam County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a Sunday night assault that reportedly led to the hospitalization of one man and the arrest of another in Port Hadlock on Monday night.
Authorities are not releasing details, citing a continuing investigation.
“There definitely was an assault that took place,” Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said. “There is an active and ongoing investigation.”
The alleged assault happened on Sitkum-Sol Duc Road, also known as A Road, north of Forks.
Sheriff’s deputies, Washington State Patrol troopers and Forks police were called to search for the suspect Sunday evening.
Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart said he didn’t believe either the victim or the alleged assailant had any ties to an Aug. 20 burglary of the Native to Twilight store in which an employee was slashed and $1,400 was taken from the store’s cash register.
Bart said the two men involved in the latest incident were seen speaking with each other shortly before the alleged assault on surveillance footage taken by a security camera at the Evergreen 76 gas station at 490 N. Forks Ave.
He said the footage was verified by the victim in Forks Community Hospital.
Bart said Tuesday the injured man was no longer in the hospital.
Bart reported a suspect was arrested in Port Hadlock on Monday but did not know his name.
Ron Cameron, chief criminal deputy with the Sheriff’s Office, said detectives asked that information about the incident be withheld.
“Any information or comment on this could jeopardize the investigation,” Cameron said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
