Washougal Police investigate home invasion robbery

An elderly woman became the victim of a home invasion robbery, in Washougal Tuesday night.

Washougal police were dispatched to the 3200 block of 37th Court at approximately 8:44 p.m.

The victim had answered the door to a man who asked if she had seen his dog. A second man then appeared in her door and knocked her to the floor.

The woman was forcibly restrained with duct tape and dragged by her hair into another room of the house. Police say she did not know how long the men were in her home. She waited several minutes after not hearing them before she was able to free herself enough and attempted to call 911.

After she determined that her phone was not working, she went to a neighbor’s house and the neighbor called 911.

The victim described the man who rang her doorbell as a “clean cut” white male — possibly a teenager or in his early 20’s — who spoke with an eastern European accent. The second suspect was wearing a hood and possibly a mask. The victim said he was taller than the other man, and he also spoke with an eastern European accent.

She told police the men spoke in English, as well as in a Slavic language that she thought was Russian.

Several Washougal officers were assisted by Clark County deputies and a K-9 team, in conducting a search for the suspects in the surrounding neighborhoods. The suspects, who were not located, are believed to have left the area several minutes before the 911 call was made.

A police report states that it appears the motive of the home invasion robbery was theft. Information has not been released regarding whether anything was taken from the home.

The incident is under active investigation. Anyone with information that could assist the WPD with the apprehension of the suspects is asked to call Detective Zane Freschette at (360) 835-8701.