A man and woman accused of plotting to rob a Hazel Dell man who answered a prostitution ad on Craigslist were arraigned Thursday on multiple charges.
Jacob E. Diepenbrock, 40, of Aloha, Ore., pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and possession of methamphetamine. His girlfriend, Danielle L. Azevedo, 24, of Salmon Creek pleaded not guilty to attempted first-degree robbery and possession of meth.
Trial was set for Sept. 26 for both defendants.
Clark County Superior Court Judge Daniel Stahnke also reduced bail from $500,000 to $200,000 for Diepenbrock after Diepenbrock’s attorney, David Kurtz, noted that the charges had been reduced. Diepenbrock had initially been held on suspicion of attempted murder. Azevedo’s bail remains at $250,000.
According to court documents, the alleged victim, Greg Kappler, 52, said he began corresponding with a woman who went by “Karizma,” who advertised herself on Craigslist as a prostitute, according to court records.
“Karizma” contacted Kappler and said she wanted to meet the night of Aug. 14 at his house.
When “Karizma,” later identified as Azevedo, arrived, the two went into Kappler’s bedroom. Azevedo then said she had to retrieve something in her car and left the room, sheriff’s deputies said.
‘Significant injuries’
That’s when her boyfriend entered, allegedly clubbing Kappler repeatedly, according to court documents.
“The man hit Greg numerous times with the club, causing significant injuries to his head and hands,” according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Clark County sheriff’s Detective Todd Barsness.
Investigators said Azevedo had returned during the alleged beating. But when Kappler was able to retrieve a handgun, the two fled.
Kappler was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a concussion, according to court documents.
Azevedo gave an interview after her arrest. According to the affidavit, “Jacob drove to an address in Hazel Dell and told her to open the door to the house; when she did this, Jacob would come into the house, take the money and they would leave.”
Azevedo told investigators her boyfriend hit Kappler in the head with a metal object like a pipe, according to the affidavit.
The two defendants remain in the Clark County Jail.
Laura McVicker: http://twitter.com/col_courts; http://facebook.com/reportermcvicker; laura.mcvicker@columbian.com; 360-735-4516.
