Suspect arrested in possible luring of girl
By Dan Thesman on Friday, October 21st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
KENNEWICK – The Kennewick Police Department arrested the driver of a light blue mini-van accused of attempting to lure a middle school student on Wednesday.
At approximately 2 p.m. Friday, officers located Devin Katsel, 28, of Kennewick on the 3300 block of West Kennewick Avenue and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Benton County Jail for on suspicion of luring and second-degree child molestation.
On Wednesday, a student walking to Park Middle School reported to the KPD school resource officer that while walking to the school she passed a light blue mini-van at the intersection of West Tenth Avenue and South Benton Street.
While passing the van, a man allegedly attempted to engage the student in conversation. She ignored the man and continued walking. The man allegedly exited the van and approached the student, attempting to coax her into the van, assaulting her in the process. The student was able to flee and the man returned to his van and left the area. The student was not physically harmed during this incident.
