Elma rape suspect arrested

An extensive interagency manhunt, with the help of the general public and Facebook, has led to the arrest of a suspect who is charged with first-degree rape and second-degree robbery in Elma.

Police arrested 33-year-old Brandon Michael Ritter, who they suspect entered the Guesthouse Inn and Suites in Elma (East Main Street) early Friday and asked the victim, a female hotel employee, to show him a room. The victim then was subdued and tied up before being sexually assaulted, police say.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, officers made contact with the suspect, described as a transient, at the 600 block of west Waldrip Street. He surrendered and was taken into custody without incident and later was booked into Grays Harbor County Jail. Ritter also had nine warrants out for his arrest including warrants for theft, assault, resisting arrest, driving with a suspended license and violations of no-contact orders.

The victim reported the assault at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Elma Police found evidence of the assault when they arrived on scene.

“The hotel clerk was able to free herself and call 911 within a couple minutes of the assault,” Elma Police Officer Ryan Cristelli said.

The Washington State Patrol, Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department, Aberdeen Police Department and McCleary Police Department all assisted in the ensuing manhunt.

K-9 units from both Aberdeen and the county Sheriff’s Office assisted in the initial search, but were unable to locate a suspect.

The suspect was visible on hotel surveillance footage and a photo was released via Facebook. The photo was shared by more than 94,000 users.

Tips from the public helped the Elma police identify and locate the suspect.

“We received information that the suspect was at different residences throughout the area,” Cristelli said. “Most residents were cooperative with our investigation.”

Physical evidence directly related to the incident was gathered from different residences, police said.

The K-9 units also were called to the cemetery near the county fairgrounds.

In addition to the assault, the suspect stole the victim’s hotel master key.

“Those are reprogrammable, and the hotel took appropriate steps to ensure the public’s safety,” Cristelli said. The key later was recovered.

Ritter made his first court appearance on Monday. He has been booked into Grays Harbor County Jail six times since 2001 not including Saturday’s booking.

The investigation is ongoing.