Man suspected of raping Bellingham woman who became incapacitated by alcohol in 2017
A King County man was arrested Friday on suspicion of raping a Bellingham woman he knew in 2017 after she reportedly became incapacitated by alcohol.
Bellingham Police booked Van Robert Wolfe, 27, into Whatcom County Jail Friday, Jan. 28, on suspicion of second-degree rape of an incapacitated victim, and jail records show Wolfe was later released.
The victim reported the alleged sexual assault to police on Feb. 24, 2021, Whatcom County Superior Court documents state.
The victim reported that in November of 2017, she had a few friends, including Wolfe, over to her Puget neighborhood home and that she had been drinking a lot that day to the point she said she was “blacking out,” documents state.
The victim also told police that at one point during the night she remembered being on her back in the bathroom and Wolfe was on top her, according to documents.
Wolfe was interviewed by police and confirmed that he had intercourse with the victim, documents state. He also reportedly told police that he was sober at the time and knew that the victim was “at a level of drunk,” but she did not appear incredibly impaired from his observations.
Wolfe told police he “just made a bad judgment call on perceiving what type of state of mind” the victim was in, court documents state.
After probable cause was established for his arrest, Wolfe was issued a summons on Jan. 6.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
