Robbery, brandishing of knife alleged in case

A 20-year-old man who allegedly robbed a group of males at knifepoint Thursday made a first appearance in Clark County Superior Court on Friday.

Anderson L. Duarte-Paz of Vancouver appeared on suspicion of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault in connection with the incident. He was initially arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, but the prosecution said it plans to file the lesser assault charge.

A group of five males was standing at the corner of Northeast 28th Street and Northeast 138th Avenue when they were approached by a man later identified as Duarte-Paz, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

Duarte-Paz reportedly commented on a Bluetooth speaker that one of the males was holding and pulled out a folding knife, with the blade extended, and snatched the speaker away. Duarte-Paz then pointed the knife at the males and told them he would stab them if they tried taking the speaker back, court records said.

One of the males attempted to grab the speaker, prompting Duarte-Paz to point the knife at him and again threaten to stab him, the affidavit said.

Duarte-Paz ran away and was later located using a police K-9. He was found hiding under a vehicle in the 3300 block of Northeast 140th Avenue. Police said they found a knife on the ground nearby, according to court documents.

The five identified Duarte-Paz as their assailant, court records said.

Duarte-Paz was treated for injuries sustained during his capture and was subsequently booked into the Clark County Jail, according to Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp.

During his hearing, Judge Robert Lewis appointed Tonya Rulli to represent Duarte-Paz and set his bail at $50,000.

Duarte-Paz is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 4.