HPD cites parents of juvenile accused of crimes
By Terry Murry on Monday, February 26th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The parents of a 16-year-old male from Umatilla are being cited by the Hermiston Police Department for failing to supervise their child, who is accused of felonies involving a loaded gun. Chief Jason Edmiston said the city hopes the citation will serve as a wake-up call.
“It’s a minor monetary fine,” he said. “More importantly, I think it’s our intent to send a message: ‘Something needs to be done to correct the behavior of your child,’” he said.
Edmiston said he understands that many parents are at a loss when it comes to disciplining a teenager, but he wants them to realize just how bad things are.
In this case, police responded to the Metro Mart gas station at Southwest 11th and West Highland avenue. They encountered an inebriated male matching the description of a male who was trying to rob a man in the parking lot. Edmiston said the teenager was inebriated and found to be in possession of a loaded handgun that had been stolen. The victim was unharmed.
The 16-year-old suspect is charged with first degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, pointing a firearm at another, and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle. “This male has been very active the last six months on several shootings investigated by this agency as well as surrounding agencies,” Edmiston wrote in an email.
