Repoman(?) Did Everything Wrong On This One!

A Washington repossession attempt turned into an arrest after police say a man confronted a woman over an SUV that apparently wasn’t even the vehicle he had been sent to recover.

Ellensburg police were called to East Berry Road around 11 p.m. Sept. 24 after a woman reported that a man approached her shortly after she returned home from grocery shopping and told her the SUV she had recently purchased from a neighbor was being repossessed.

According to court documents, the man, identified as Crippen, allegedly had no paperwork or other documentation with him showing that he was authorized to take the vehicle. Police say he attempted to remove the woman’s keys from the ignition. When she covered the keys with her hand, Crippen allegedly grabbed her hand hard enough to cause her pain.

The confrontation ended when a neighbor reportedly came outside with a handgun and pointed it at Crippen, prompting him to leave.

Police later located Crippen at a Jacksons convenience store in Ellensburg. He reportedly showed an officer an informational sheet he had been using during the attempted recovery and said his employer installs GPS trackers in vehicles it sells.

That explanation apparently raised another issue.

According to the probable cause affidavit, police determined the vehicle Crippen was attempting to repossess was supposed to be a 2012 Ford Explorer—not the 2013 Explorer the woman had recently purchased. Investigators also determined the 2012 Explorer had been parked on a street in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, less than an hour before the incident.

Crippen reportedly did not have a photograph, license plate number or VIN for the vehicle he was attempting to recover.

He was arrested and booked on suspicion of attempted second-degree robbery.

During a preliminary court appearance, Deputy Prosecutor Robert Porter told the court the allegations were concerning, noting that someone conducting a legitimate repossession should be able to establish who they are and show documentation supporting the recovery.

Defense attorney Dovie Sigle said Crippen had since provided his credentials and characterized the incident as a misunderstanding that would become clearer as the case progressed.

The prosecution, however, indicated the situation could result in additional charges. Porter also pointed to Crippen’s prior criminal history, which included an earlier second-degree assault allegation that resulted in a plea to fourth-degree assault, as well as a misdemeanor harassment conviction.

Porter initially requested $10,000 bail, citing the allegations and the fact that a neighbor had intervened. Judge Chris Herion ultimately set bail at $5,000.

Crippen’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 1.