I-Watch Offers $1,000 Reward

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The I-Watch group met Monday night for an emergency meeting following a death threat being received by a local resident, and shared other stories from around the community.  The resident who was threatened stated she was in the Bi-Mart parking lot in Sunnyside, and was clipped by another car while backing out of a parking space.  She told the group of about 25 people that attended the meeting that when she approached the other driver to exchange information, he took off driving around the parking lot instead.

She believes the car in question to be a blue 1980 Chevrolet Impala.  After looping around the parking lot, the other driver came back to where she was standing, pointed his hand to his head, and then at her, and said “You’re Dead!”.  Later Sunday afternoon, she said another car with two men wearing blue hats turned sideways stopped in front of her house for no apparent reason, and just stared at her home.

Jim Stevens, the head of the I-Watch, announced that the group is offering a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the other driver.  Doug Garrison, a local attorney, said that if the other driver can be identified, then legal action can be taken for a hit and run incident, as well as witness intimidation.  In addition, if he is part of gang, other statutes can be brought to bear as well.

Sunnyside Police Chief Ed Radder said that the police are investigating the incident, and have taken measures he did not disclose to protect the woman who was threatened.  Also attending from the City were City Manager Mark Gervasi, Deputy Mayor Nick Paulakis, and Council Member Mike Farmer.  Former Council Members Chad Werkhoven and Roy Anciso attended as well.  (It should also be noted that Jim Stevens, head of the I-Watch, is a former Council Member.)