Aberdeen officers bust serial trespassers downtown

One man has 89 arrests, 428 recorded involvements with police since ‘92

Aberdeen Police busted three repeat trespassers around midnight Monday as they continue to deal with ongoing trespass problems in the downtown area.

“Aberdeen patrol officers have given many warnings and requests to frequent trespassers in the Aberdeen downtown area trying to get them to not trespass. There has been little or no cooperation from the trespassers even when given criminal citations,” said Aberdeen Police Lieutenant Kevin Darst.

A man whom the police are very familiar with, Buddy Richards, was arrested at 11:45 p.m. Monday after officers saw him loitering in a business alcove at 210 East Wishkah Street. The alcove was clearly marked with APD trespass enforcement signs. When confronted by police, Richards became verbally abusive, calling the officer a “punk” and demanding he be taken to jail. The officer obliged, arresting him for trespassing. Because of the man’s size, two pairs of cuffs had to be used. Officers then collected Richards’ belongings, which included one 25-ounce can of Hurricane High Gravity Malt Liquor — approximately one-quarter full when the officer emptied it out — and three empty 24-ounce cans of Steel Reserve Blk Berry malt liquor.

“Buddy Richards has been contacted and arrested by the Aberdeen Police Department numerous times since 1992,” said Darst. “He has 428 involvements in the Aberdeen Police Records System known as Spillman. He has been cited 82 times for criminal behavior to include many trespassing, disorderly conduct, open liquor container in public and many more crimes. He has been arrested 89 times during that time period.”

A half hour later, another officer observed two subjects sitting under the cover of the D&R Theatre. The D&R, like the property in the previous arrest, was clearly marked with APD trespass enforcement signs. Officers recognized the pair as Patricia F. Schierbeck and Joseph L. Shierbeck. Both frequent the downtown area and have had prior contact with police. Both were placed under arrest, their belongings collected and transported to the APD jail, charged with criminal trespass second degree.

The Aberdeen Police Department continues to monitor the locations downtown that are cooperating with the trespassing notices and encourages any citizens who see trespassers on these properties to call 911 to have an officer respond. Darst added, “If it is not a no trespassing area, the officers cannot enforce the crime of trespassing in many of those cases.”