Authorities arrest Longview man suspected of using meat cleaver to abduct woman
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:01 PM PST
By Leslie Slape
Printable version
E-mail this articleDepartment of Corrections officers arrested John Paul Roach of Longview on Monday afternoon in Rose Valley, ending a manhunt that began early Sunday morning in Longview.
The 30-year-old Roach, whose street name is “Cockroach,” allegedly used a meat cleaver to kidnap a woman at her Longview residence around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The victim told Longview police Roach drove her to her bank, where he made her withdraw money and give it to him.
Longview Detective Sgt. Mike Hallowell said the woman escaped at the AM/PM Mini Mart, 710 15th Ave., and called police. When police arrived, Roach fled in the woman’s car and eluded capture, Hallowell said.
Longview police had already been looking for Roach in connection with vandalism around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. A different woman called police to report that Roach smashed a window in her car while she and her boyfriend were inside it. She said her boyfriend got out and chased Roach, who threatened him with a meat cleaver.
Officers from several agencies hunted Roach all day Sunday, checking his known haunts and heading out to various addresses whenever tips came in.
He was booked in lieu of $250,000 bail on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, taking a motor vehicle without permission, second-degree assault, felony eluding, violation of a restraining order, third-degree malicious mischief and second-degree driving with a suspended license. He also had a no-bail Department of Corrections warrant.
Roach’s criminal history includes a conviction earlier this year for eluding police by driving a pickup at maximum reverse speed for the entire length of the 300 block of 17th Avenue as police pursued him with lights and sirens. He also has previous convictions for assault, burglary and violation of a no-contact order.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that Monday’s arrest of John Roach was handled by Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies.
viper wrote on Dec 29, 2008 7:38 PM:
" this is a good person to keep locked up eluded police in reverse ? looks like he was trying to get all 3 strikes at one time Great job! good guys "
SPARROW wrote on Dec 29, 2008 11:00 PM:
" hummm.....something is missing from this whole picture. Why was he back on the streets? Good behavior I suppose? "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 29, 2008 11:34 PM:
" Maybe you should know what is going on in a persons life before you go and write comments about someone you know nothing about. "
FiscalConservative wrote on Dec 29, 2008 11:48 PM:
" Well mom, maybe we should coddle him for a couple hours, then when our backs are turned he can stick a meat cleaver in it, yes? I give 5-1 says he will be out in less than 6 months! "
Go Chinooks!!! wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:56 AM:
" Come On MoM!!! What part of "He was booked in lieu of $250,000 bail on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, taking a motor vehicle without permission, second-degree assault, felony eluding, violation of a restraining order, third-degree malicious mischief and second-degree driving with a suspended license. He also had a no-bail Department of Corrections warrant.
Roachs criminal history includes a conviction earlier this year for eluding police by driving a pickup at maximum reverse speed for the entire length of the 300 block of 17th Avenue as police pursued him with lights and sirens. He also has previous convictions for assault, burglary and violation of a no-contact order." Do I need to re read before I decide this guy should be locked up for along time. A meat clever??? How do you defend any of this guys actions??? "
Roachs criminal history includes a conviction earlier this year for eluding police by driving a pickup at maximum reverse speed for the entire length of the 300 block of 17th Avenue as police pursued him with lights and sirens. He also has previous convictions for assault, burglary and violation of a no-contact order." Do I need to re read before I decide this guy should be locked up for along time. A meat clever??? How do you defend any of this guys actions??? "
toledoone wrote on Dec 30, 2008 3:11 AM:
" Excuse me mom? This is the kind of loser that we should be building more bigger prisons for to keep losers like this locked up for long long times. Instead we spend our law enforcement time and effort worrying about whether or not you have your seat belt on. Put these stupid sick dumb ignorant idiotic fools in prison. I don't care what was going on in their lives to cause them to be lawless, stupid, dumb, ignorant and idiotic. "
98626 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 4:49 AM:
" momrules08: what do you mean? many people have problems in their lives...loss of loved ones, unemployment issues, homes being taken away, but all of these people who have very real problems do not resort to kidnapping, assault, robbery...this guy is deranged and violent and I for one am glad he is off the street!!! I agree...throw away the key!!! "
viper wrote on Dec 30, 2008 7:09 AM:
" I guess there is still some people out there that thinks he has a chance . I say he just used them all up at one time even though he will only get time served and maybe 60 days plus good time we should see him back in action in about 90 days. hey maybe he's better at making plea bargains and deals with the D.A looks like he has experience at it. I hope he gets just what he deserves . but the bleeding hearts will set him free because he says he will be good boy now, sure he will if you believe that. then Hey good news I have some Beach property in Arizona you might be interested in "ocean Front view " sweet deal !! Surf in your Front yard watch the sun rise and set in the desert, what a view !
besides he didn't hurt any cops in the process of his spree so he is just about guaranteed to get out soon as he shows a real concern for human life and wouldn't put anyones life at risk . maybe thoughs of you who think he is being mistreated and not understood maybe you could be his next victim you know when he gets out "
besides he didn't hurt any cops in the process of his spree so he is just about guaranteed to get out soon as he shows a real concern for human life and wouldn't put anyones life at risk . maybe thoughs of you who think he is being mistreated and not understood maybe you could be his next victim you know when he gets out "
bonziyance wrote on Dec 30, 2008 7:33 AM:
" Yes mom he is such a nice guy, smashing windows, abducting a woman and robbing her. Excuse me but do not care what is going on in his life he needs to be locked up. "
Beer&Skittles wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:33 AM:
" There's prison, and there's jail. Jail is for less than a year, and prison is for more, AND your judges, thanks to all you "get tough on crime" types, MUST sentence based on the sentencing matrix. In the "old days", a judge could "throw the book at 'em", but cannot now. By law the judge can only sentence them based on the matrix. What this means is that there's no longer anything held over their head to be released from prison. They spend the time based on that matrix and the usual comment as they're readying to get out? "On the spoon by noon!" Thank you all for your foresight. It's way worse than it used to be. "
kitten wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:55 AM:
" momrules08-Character does not change only a person's motivations do. This is a souless person who puts his own wants and needs above the well-being of the people around him. There is no hope left for him. "
cynic954 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 9:17 AM:
" FiscalConservative You are on! Put me down for 500 Boy was I, FiscalConservative wrong on this one. He wont even go to trial in 6 months, let alone be out. "
Aconserve wrote on Dec 30, 2008 10:36 AM:
" Kitten how can you say that and still feel that the guy that made his kids walk 10 miles in snow up to their knees has gone through enough. But this guy is souless and unsalvagable right?? Don't get me wrong this fella is a puke but your judgement is way off. "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 11:06 AM:
" MAYBE IF THE POLICE WOULD GET RID OF ALL THE FREAKING METH AND METH DEALERS IN THAT MESSED UP TOWN THAT I MOVED MY FAMILY OUT OF BEFORE BAD THINGS COUL HAPPEN, THEN MAYBE THERE WOULDNT BE SUCH A PROBLEM THERE!!!!!! HELLO!!!!!!!! SADLY NOT ALL OF US HAVE SUCH A STRONG MIND AND DONT ALWAYS CHOOSE THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO. THIS PERSON HAS HAD IT ROUGH PRETTY MUCH HIS ENTIRE LIFE. SO AGAIN LIKE I SAID THE FIRST TIME MAYBE YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN A PERSONS LIFE BEFORE YOU GO WRITING COMMENTS ABOUT SOMEONE IN A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE!!! SAD TO SAY BUT HE HAS HAD HELP FROM SOME NOT SO HELPFUL PEOPLE TO START HIM ON HIS ROAD TO DESTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
press wrote on Dec 30, 2008 11:25 AM:
" cockroach, abv. Roach, ths insect is discusting! B4 they have the cockroach hotel the saying wnt sumthng like ths: "They can check in anytime but they can not check out!!" Now it would be even better if ths was true for ths particular Roach to check in to prison and nvr check out as a roach should! He has a bad track record indeed. He nds more than prison he nds meds, and counseling and rehabilitation! No coddling just guided seems like he may of had plenty of rejection to cause or push hm to do these thngs that are dangerous to the community. Why u piple see piple doing such behavior then jst sit on your butts not trying to hlp someone and stop some one who is a threat to hmslf and other's. People these days have lost compassion.and society has turned piple into a me myself and I type of world and who cares about about the other.maybe its time to take time for others so we do not have Roach type people muktiplying! "
Silly Billy wrote on Dec 30, 2008 11:42 AM:
" Momrules08: You haven't a clue on what you're saying. Let's start from the beginning... We can't blame Jack's mom and dad for conceiving him. We can't blame them for raising him. We can't blame his teachers in school. We can't blame the friends he hung around with. We can't blame the meth heads in this town. We can't blame the local police for not getting meth off the streets. We can't blame the state of WA for not providing enough funds for our community to hire more law enforcement officers to cracked down on the meth heads. We can't blame the US Government for not providing the state with funds to hire more law enforcement officers... Let's see, what's left? Yep! We get to blame Jack for the decisions he has made in his life. He can better himself if he wants to bad enough. Until that time comes, he is only to blame for his actions. I am just grateful no one was injured due to the decisions he has made. We may not be able to say that the next time he is out running free. "
MW wrote on Dec 30, 2008 11:52 AM:
" Yes "Mom" this individual has absolutely NO responsibility for his actions. It's not his fault, it's societies right? PLEASE. I have had all manner of hardship in my life and am a recovering alcoholic, but I have NEVER blamed anyone other than myself for my problems let alone commit violent acts against another. I am guilty of DUI and suffered the consequences of my action's and rightfully so. Nobody made me get behind the wheel of a car and it certainly isn't societies fault. It is mine and mine alone. This individual belongs in prison for a long time. "
Leslie Slape wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:14 PM:
" A correction: The arrest was made by Department of Corrections officers, with assistance from a sheriff's deputy. I was given wrong information and I'd like to make sure DOC gets the credit. "
lv resident wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:26 PM:
" First of all "Mom" quit yellin your givin me a headache! Second it seems you must know this person from what you are saying. If you "hang out" with this guy I have to question YOUR remarks as coming from someone with less than totally honorable character. Many many people in society today have come out of some pretty difficult circumstances in their early years. I might buy your argument if the guy was like 16 or so but he's 30! Plenty of time for this guy to have grown up and realize that he and he alone is responsible for the poor choices he makes in life. Growing up in a disfunctional family doesn't give you an excuse to do the things that this guy continues to do. I grew up in a family that was filled with violence and alcoholism but that is not how I live my life. Stop making excuses for this guy (or for yourself) to live a life of crime just because of a hard childhood. Being an adult sometimes means you look back at your childhood and decide to live your life differently, and all of us have that opportunity. Everyone has people that pass through our lives to help us make right decisions. Its up to us to CHOOSE to make them. "
Rural Citizen wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:37 PM:
" This guy needs to go away for a long long time. He is very dangerous.
I'd say 40 years at least. "
I'd say 40 years at least. "
anotion wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:49 PM:
" Sheesh! Come on now! I use a meat cleaver all the time to get my way and I've never been to jail or prison.... what's the big deal? He probobly only likes it because it's bright and shiny anyways. "
francis wrote on Dec 30, 2008 12:53 PM:
" Since when are the police held responsible for the meth use. It is the meth users fault. You can not blame the meth use in Longview/Kelso on the police. I beleive they do the best they can to stop it, but it is the induvidual who should be held responsible. If I do not get stoped by the police for drunk driving, run into a car with a family in it, and kill the family....is it the police fault for not stopping me? Where is the accountability? "
agreetodisagree wrote on Dec 30, 2008 1:55 PM:
" Why make anyone responsible when we can just enable them....for-ever....He is what his "street name" refers to....a COCKROACH & he needs to go away for a long long time. PRESS.....What is piple & where are most of your vowels? "
SPARROW wrote on Dec 30, 2008 2:51 PM:
" TO MOMSRULE08 - sorry, but yes I am shouting! Society is allowed to judge and determine one's worth by their past actions, good and bad. From education, job experience and references showing responsibility, to your criminal background and credit history. The world will judge you by seeing this information on paper, never even have to come face to face with the person. Just looking at Roach's criminal record that is public info. leaves him with about a score of zero when it comes to creditability, honesty or good faith. My comment was not based on this article alone, and I doubt some of the others did either. This was just one more time his name has been in the police blotter or in articles involving his criminal activity appearing in the news. And that's not a very good reference, except for getting you into prison, and for that application, he looks pretty good, and hopefully will be accepted. "
puddingpop08 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 3:25 PM:
" i like ice cream,cup cakes,pudding pops and christmas and people but people that cant keep there rude comments to there self should not be able to say anything at all. "
jimmy joe bob wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:06 PM:
" Hey this poor guy is just misunderstood so just give him a big hug and everything will be ok. "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:14 PM:
" all i have to say is that i hope not any one of you people ever have to experience what happens when someone you even care a little bit about gets involved in using meth and other drugs. "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 30, 2008 8:16 PM:
" and like your momma always said " if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all. " "
LongviewFam wrote on Dec 30, 2008 9:16 PM:
" momrules08, You obviously care about this person accused of these crimes and feel some amount of compassion for him. That's clear. What is unclear is how you can possibly not blame a 30 year old man for his actions based on the fact that he had a tough life growing up. So what?! Lots of people have a hard life and don't grow up to be a druggie, a thief or a violent predator. It's time to let Mr. Roach be accountable for his crimes against his fellow men. Not a fun time for the family (yes, I do know about this personally), but it's called TOUGH LOVE. Don't continue to enable this person by making excuses for him. Let him take his punishment and maybe he can be rehabilitated and have a productive life someday. Surely that is what you want for him. Good luck to you and your family. "
hopingforacostco wrote on Dec 30, 2008 9:35 PM:
" momrules08~ You can be upset, devastated, angry or however you feel when someone you love is involved in drugs BUT you can not defend them when they break the law! That is why everyone disagrees with you. If this person would have killed the woman, would you still be defending him? Oh wait...it was the drugs fault. I don't buy that at all! "
biasmedia wrote on Dec 30, 2008 9:38 PM:
" you know momrules08 you are taking protecting your kid or friend way to far.
if it was you kid that he tried to abduct you would be singing a different tune, so go take your double stander and visit your friend in prison where he belongs (HOPE HE
GETS LIFE) "
if it was you kid that he tried to abduct you would be singing a different tune, so go take your double stander and visit your friend in prison where he belongs (HOPE HE
GETS LIFE) "
kitten wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:37 AM:
" momrules08-It is because of people like you that this guy is sinking further into Hell. There is no excuse for his behavior. It is selfish and wrong. I don't care what his "addictions" are. He would be better off dead if he is that far gone. Hence, my "souless" comment earlier. He seems to have no qualms about hurting you either does he? I'll bet he calls the minute he has a lucid moment to feed off of your hope for him irregardless of how it will devastate you when he decides to became self-destructive again. SELFISH TO THE END! These people are not victims they are choosers. "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:51 AM:
" excuse u kitten? because of me hes sinking into hell? no i think not, i am not a dope dealing loser that lives in messed up Cowlitz County!!! Most of you people do, and ill say it again. get rid of the dopers and dope dealers and there wouldnt be such a problem there. i myself have watched it get worse an worse over the past 9 1/2 yrs. and without the community coming together and trying to help out each other then your whole county is going to hell in a hand basket!!!!!!!!! "
143jwa wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:18 AM:
" momrules08 you are quite a ridiculous woman. "i am not a dope dealing loser that lives in messed up Cowlitz County!!! Most of you people do" are you assuming that everyone in Cowlitz County is a drug dealer?? You tell us not to judge him since we dont know his story, but I'm pretty sure what you said is a judgement that you made on all of us here. Many people do have pretty messed up lives here but there are tons and tons of good people. In fact, I know many people who do drugs and they are good people in general as well, they dont do crazy, messed up things either. Just because we come from Cowlitz County doesnt mean we have no hope and it also doesnt give us an excuse to do things like he did. Put yourself in the lady's shoes that he kidknapped, would you still be defending him???? "
ex longview resident wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:53 AM:
" momrules08 - Why don't you get off your pedestal! If you think that we all could make a difference then why don't you help? Thats a good idea! It just might make a bigger difference then your preaching! Getting rid of drugs is dang near impossible! If it was that easy to get rid of them don't you think they would be gone already?? "
kitten wrote on Dec 31, 2008 11:01 AM:
" momrules08-You make no sense. "town I moved my family out of before bad things could happen"??????? So are you saying that you have raised such a weak minded family that the influences of drugs and others could ruin their lives? Shame on you. Maybe you should have given them the character and self-confidence to rise above anything that comes their way. If you really think that moving away from temptations will solve anyone's problems, you are in denial. But I am sure if anyone in your family gets into trouble, you will have many people to point your finger at. Good luck with that. "
momrules08 wrote on Dec 31, 2008 1:09 PM:
" how could you say i make no sense when u r not getting what i am saying. my family meaning my s.o. and my two children and myself. "
kitten wrote on Dec 31, 2008 3:29 PM:
" Oh, I totally understood what you were saying. I assume they are the ones that you moved out of town so that they would not be influenced? "
? wrote on Dec 31, 2008 6:16 PM:
" This sort of behavior is not surprising. The interesting part is when you try to report early on, the police in this town don't take you seriously. I wonder how many times this joker was able to talk his way out of trouble or as a youth was either not taken seriously or overlooked by the system. This seems to be the main way of dealing with the criminal element in this town. It seems both the police and courts in this town/county are either too stupid or to unconcerned to act until something really terrible happens. I wonder how many times reports were made by citizens regarding this individual that were just swept under the rug because he was a smooth talker or knew how to work the system. I am so sick of hearing how drugs/alcohol is an excuse for inexcusable behavior. Maybe if a few more examples were made, characters like this "roach" would get the point. One way to do that is to intervene a little earlier, with a little more vehemenance. Not wait until age 30 so he can turn into a possible murderer, then do something because by that time it is too late. "
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