Fourth of July kidnapping suspect in custody
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Police Department arrested and booked Josiah Tiscareno, 18, of Walla Walla on charges of kidnapping and assault after an incident took place during the community fireworks display Tuesday night at Walla Walla Community College.
At 10:22 p.m., WWPD received a call for a man with a gun in the area of Tausick Way and Reservoir Road. Officers were already in the area working a traffic detail for the fireworks display at WWCC. Witnesses told police that the victim, an 18-year-old female, was forced into a vehicle and taken against her will. The College Place Police Department, Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington State Patrol quickly responded to assist.
Working with the victim’s friends and family, officers used the Find My iPhone app to pinpoint the victim’s location. Officers located the female victim and suspect in the basement, as they were visible through a window.
The police said the female victim was in obvious distress and calling out for help.
“The basement window was breached so officers could protect her while another team made their way through the house to get to her,” WWPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Nick Loudermilk said. “The victim was rescued from basement a short time later.”
The suspect fled the house while the rescue was taking place and a search of the area was conducted, but Tiscareno was not located. About 40 minutes after the search was called off, Tiscareno turned himself in at the Walla Walla Police Department.
Tiscareno was booked into the Walla Walla County Jail on charges of first-degree kidnapping domestic violence and second-degree assault domestic violence.
