Pasco man accused of clubbing woman, setting belongings on fire

PASCO, Wash.-- Pasco Police arrested a man Monday morning after he allegedly assaulted a woman, then set her belongings on fire.

Officers responded to the a report of a fire at 6:30 a.m. and found a small fire near the train tracks in the area of A St. and Columbia near Western Materials, and a woman lying on the ground.

The Pasco Fire Department responded and found that police had mostly extinguished the fire.

The victim told investigators that a man she knew had hit her on the back of the head with a piece of wood, threw her personal belongings onto a pallet, then set it on fire. He reportedly told the woman, "“I hope you die,” before leaving on foot.

The victim identified her assailant as Randy Scott Vanderveer, 40, Pasco, and officers found him a short time later.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police say the fire burned up her backpack and sleeping bag.

Vanderveer was booked into Franklin County Jail on investigative holds for aggravated assault and arson. Anyone with additional info about the case is asked to call Dispatch at 509-628-0333 or email Officer Mike Andrews at andrewsm@pasco-wa.gov about case 20-20832 Agg Assault.