Pullman residents face charges for robbery

GARFIELD—On the evening of Sunday, Sept. 4, deputies with the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a home in Garfield, WA where one of the residents was allegedly robbed at gunpoint.

Deputies believed the couple was traveling back to their residence in Pullman, reports say. The Pullman Police Department assisted Whitman County Sheriff’s office in stopping the couple while entering Pullman. Hernandez and Valdez were taken into custody.

Deputies were granted a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle during which deputies reportedly located several hundred dollars of tools reported stolen and recovered a .367 cal handgun, as well.

During the investigation deputies learned that the robbery occurred over what appeared to be a financial dispute over narcotics.

Pullman residents Gavriel Hernandez, 35, and Roy Valdez, 37, faced Superior Court with Judge Gary Libey, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Both Hernandez and Valdez were considered a threat to the community if released, being given a 200,000 dollar bond or 20,000 cash bail.

Prosecutor Denis Tracy stated that both suspects could not be trusted to return to their next court date if released, and have multiple similar crimes. “There are two warrants for his arrest by the Issaquah court. Violation dates March 16 of 2022: stolen property in the third degree and reckless driving,” Tracy said, noting that Valdez had been arrested in Whitman County for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Tracy further stated that Hernandez has also been charged with reckless driving and possession of stolen property in the third degree at an earlier time. Hernandez also has active warrants for her arrest, not showing up to earlier court hearings.

During Valdez’s hearing he stated that “I’m not a threat to the community. I never stole a firearm. I didn’t rob anybody. I want to wait to have my council before I speak on my behalf,” to which Libey responded that was acceptable.

Hernandez and Valdez are both set to appear in court at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9. Both are under court order to not contact one another, or anyone else involved in the case.