The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges against 31-year-old Kirkland man, Roy Singh Benipal, for two counts of felony harassment and assault in the fourth degree.
On April 24, the defendant entered a bedroom at the 12700 block of Northeast Hollyhills Drive in Bothell, where two individuals were located, and allegedly pointed a gun at the both of them.
Charging documents state that Benipal struck the female victim in the head, grabbed her by the throat, and pointed a gun at her while threatening her. When the male victim attempted to intervene, Benipal allegedly turned and pointed the gun at the victim’s head while threatening him, according to documents.
The female victim was able to safely get away and reported the incident to Bothell Police. She relayed how she knew Benipal for some time, but that his actions have become increasingly reckless and dangerous, according to the police report. She also stated to police that Benipal accused her of stealing from him, and the argument intensified, according to the police report.
When officers located Benipal to arrest him, they did not find any weapons on his person, and placed him in the back of the patrol car, according to police documents. Law enforcement officers were able to locate a gun in the residence, which matched a description provided by a witness who was in the home at the time of the incident.
At the time of his arrest, the defendant had three charges pending: Robbery 1 and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm; Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act with Possession With Intent (x2); Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2 and Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act with Possession of Intent; and Identity Theft.
The state asks Benipal’s bail to be set at $200,000 “because the defendant will fail to appear, because of the likelihood that the defendant will commit a violent offense, and because of the likelihood that the defendant will interfere with witnesses or the administration of justice,” stated the charging documents.
