Man faces harassment charge

COEUR d'ALENE - A 29-year-old Coeur d'Alene man was arrested on Saturday for felony malicious harassment.

Joel T. Diekhoff allegedly threatened to beat up a 39-year-old black male for walking on his property.

Coeur d'Alene Police was dispatched to the area of south 18th Street and east Mullan Avenue at 11:27 a.m. for a possible assault in progress.

While officers were responding, the victim called 911 and asked for officers to contact him at the Lake Drive Motel.

The alleged victim told officers he has lived in the area for the past six years and had just returned from taking his morning walk to Sanders Beach.

He said while he was walking in the area of 19th and Mullan he was verbally threatened by Diekhoff, who lives at a residence there.

Diekhoff walked toward him while he was on the sidewalk and allegedly shouted racial slurs at him.

The alleged victim said Diekhoff threatened to beat him up for walking by his property. Diekhoff was described as having Aryan tattoos.

As Diekhoff was allegedly shouting threats at the victim, three other males came out of a residence to assist Diekhoff, according to police reports.

The victim then ran to a friend's house and got a baseball bat. He returned to the area and argued with Diekhoff. The victim then left and called the police, according to reports.