Woman arrests man — by phone
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 1 month AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | September 14, 2020 1:07 AM
A Hayden man is in jail after being placed under citizen’s arrest for allegedly violating a protective order.
Police responded to a report of a family dispute at a Hayden home around 11 p.m. on Sept. 9. Stephen JH Koetsier was accused of violating a protective order that prohibited him from contacting his former partner, with whom he has a child.
In a report, Deputy Brian Dubs said Koetsier’s former partner told police Koetsier attempted to contact her via text message on Sept. 4.
She said she blocked Koetsier’s phone number but received text messages from unknown numbers she believed originated from Koetsier. She also received messages via her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Dubs said she provided screenshots of the messages to police, one of which reportedly included a photo of a broken baby stroller that had been placed in the trash.
Koetsier reportedly acknowledged the protective order but said he was unsure of the specifics on contacting the victim by electronic means.
The woman advised police that she would like to make a citizen’s arrest, according to a police report.
Dubs said he detained Koetsier and called the woman, who then made the citizen’s arrest by phone.
Prior to his first appearance in court, Koetsier’s mother wrote a letter asking that her son not be released except into the care of medical professionals.
Koetsier pleaded not guilty to the charge of violating a protective order.
Judge Robert Burton set bail at $10,000 and issued a no-contact order between Koetsier and his former partner.
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