Jun. 5—A 68-year-old man was arrested in Wyoming on Wednesday for allegedly stabbing a man earlier this week at the Motel 6 in Clarkston.
Thomas R. Krogman, 68, of Gillette, Wyo., is charged with first-degree attempted murder in Asotin County Superior Court. He is accused of attacking a 72-year-old man Monday morning in the lobby of the motel on Bridge Street.
Police have determined Krogman is the brother-in-law of the victim.
Krogman was taken into custody by the Gillette Police Department, based on a warrant issued by the Asotin County Prosecutor’s Office and Clarkston Police Department. He will be transported to Asotin County to face the charge.
Clarkston police were able to develop information and evidence that led to the arrest, according to a news release issued by Police Chief Josh Daniel.
Police determined it was a personal attack and not a random incident, Daniel said. The investigators are still working on a motive and whether there are any accomplices.
The victim, Daniel Henry, is the motel manager. Henry was last listed in stable condition after suffering multiple stab wounds, including one to the face, according to the probable-cause affidavit.
When the suspect walked into the motel, he reportedly asked Henry if he remembered him. The manager said “not really,” police reported in the affidavit. The man pulled a knife and first stabbed Henry in the right side of his head.
He also grabbed a phone off the counter and threw it, according to the report.
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After police arrived, witnesses at the scene described the suspect, saying he parked on the 400 block of Third Street in a red sedan before entering the motel. He sat in his car for about 10 to 15 minutes before heading toward the front office. A few minutes later, a witness saw the man running back to his vehicle and then driving east on Bridge Street.
Henry was reportedly stabbed eight times during the incident.
According to the probable-cause affidavit, Henry is also from Wyoming. After the red car’s license plate was identified in surveillance videos, it came back to Thomas and Phyllis Krogman in Gillette.
When questioned by police, Henry said Thomas Krogman is his brother-in-law. He had not seen him in approximately six years, but his sister, Phyllis, had contacted him recently by phone, according to court documents. During those conversations, his sister brought up an incident that happened 60 years ago, he told police.
Based on the investigation, it appears Thomas Krogman was in Clarkston on Monday, driving a red Chevy Malibu. He matched the description of the suspect in the stabbing case and was identified by the victim during further questioning.
According to police, Krogman reportedly drove home to Wyoming, where he was arrested on the Class A felony charge. Prosecutor Curt Liedkie is handling the case for the state of Washington.
Chief Daniel said he appreciates the Lewiston Police Department for help on the case. The LPD used its new FLOCK cameras and automated license plate recognition system to locate the suspect vehicle.
Daniel also complimented the Gillette Police Department for the swift response and apprehension of Krogman.
“The collaboration and cooperation by all law enforcement agencies involved shows a committed effort to keep each community safe,” Daniel said.
Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.