Man arrested following altercation at Ritzville business

RITZVILLE — An Ocean Shores man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a law enforcement officer after an altercation at a Ritzville service station Monday.  

Kenneth Curtiss, 42, allegedly got into an altercation with Adams County Sheriff’s deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers after two reports of an unidentified man causing a disturbance, according to an ACSO statement. 

The first report came from a truck stop in the 2000 block of North Durry Drive near Tokio, according to the statement.

“A male subject had reportedly assaulted an employee and fled in a vehicle described (as having) distinctive flags on its bumper,” the statement said.  

While deputies were on their way to that, a second incident was reported at the Ritzville business on West First Avenue. The unidentified man allegedly assaulted a patron at the service station; his truck allegedly had the same distinctive flags on the bumper, the report said. Deputies and the WSP found him still at the service station. 

“The male escaped to his vehicle where a short scuffle took place with a deputy being assaulted,” the statement said. “(The man) fled on foot. He was captured a short time later with a taser being used to safely take him into custody.” 

The man, identified as Curtiss, was taken to a local hospital for a medical assessment, then booked into jail.  

“Corrections staff members placed Kenneth in a full body restraint (WRAP device) due to his behavior and to prevent any injury,” Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner said in the statement. 

A passenger in the vehicle was found not to be involved and was released, the post said. Curtiss’s dog was taken into custody by Adams County Pet Rescue. 

The case is still under investigation and additional charges may be pending, the release said.