Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Defendant claims he was worried mom was using drugs
COLFAX — A man released from jail is accused of stealing an SUV, threatening family members, breaking into a Pullman home, and fighting his teenage son.
Stephen M. Baumgardner, 44, of Pocatello, Idaho, was charged in Whitman County Superior Court on June 11 with burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree-domestic violence, malicious mischief in the second degree-domestic violence, taking a motor vehicle without permission, and felony harassment-domestic violence.
On June 8 a family member called the Pullman police to report her black 1994 Toyota 4Runner stolen and the person responsible was making threats to kill family members over a cellphone, according to court records.
Police found the vehicle with a purposefully punctured tire. Baumgardner reportedly admitted to flattening the tire with a knife and said he had permission to use the SUV, according to the police report.
Baumgardner is accused of kicking in the door at a Pullman home of a former girlfriend and attacking their teenage son.
“(The victim) said (Baumgardner) had recently been released from prison for assaulting her when she lived in Idaho … (he) had kicked in the door and strangled her,” the police reported. “*(The victim) said she changed her name due to safety concerns about (Baumgardner) finding her.”
“(She) admitted to reaching out to (him) when he had been released from prison, and said that she had allowed him to stay at her apartment for one night a few days (before the attack),” wrote police.
Baumgardner allegedly returned to her home and tried to push in an air conditioner to get inside the apartment, but failed, and kicked in the door. He is accused of taking her two cellphones, damaging them, and answering one when the victim’s boyfriend called and threatened his life.
His 15-year-old son heard the door get kicked in and Baumgardner yelling his name. He told police he found Baumgardner standing next to his mom’s bed, holding a knife.
He reportedly rushed Baumgardner out of fear for his mother and the two wrestled, according to the police report. Baumgardner allegedly put the teenager in a chokehold to end the fight.
Baumgardner allegedly denied making any threats and told police he went to the apartment because he was worried she was using drugs, and the door was damaged before he arrived. He reportedly said he took her phones and damaged them to stop her from contacting drug dealers.
He accused the teenager of attacking him and said it is why he used a chokehold to end it.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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