Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 29-year-old Centralia man is in custody, accused of kicking another man in the face, head and ribs and stealing $16 worth of tobacco from him.

Chad C. Bass was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree robbery, a felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He denies it, defense attorney Rachael Tiller said when Bass was brought before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.

Judge Andrew Toynbee set bail at $30,000.

The incident came to light when the victim went to the Centralia Police Department yesterday morning to report an assault.

He said he was attacked the day before at the 500 block of North Tower Avenue by a guy he knew by the name of Hillbilly, according to charging documents. Andrew Zech told police his assailant took his Native American Spirit Rolling Tobacco and kicked him with steel toed boots, the documents relate.

The officer noted a swelled up lump on the left side of his forehead and scrapes on his face, left side and right knee, according to the documents. Zech said it was the second time it had happened, that he was robbed by the same person on Saturday.

The officer subsequently prepared a photo montage and the victim circled Bass, according to the allegations.

Bass was wearing steel toed boots when he was arrested.

The investigating officer spoke to Bass and then with two individuals Bass said he was with the day before, one of whom said Bass had bragged about beating up Zech behind Pioneer West and, with the help of another person, took all his stuff, according to the documents.

Bass’s arraignment is scheduled for June 29

•••

WINLOCK WOMAN DISPLACED BY RESIDENTIAL FIRE

• A senior citizen alerted by her smoke alarm spotted fire in her bathroom, called 911 and got outside safely early this morning at the 300 block of Hemenway Road southwest of Winlock. Crews responding to the approximately 6:20 a.m. call arrived to find smoke showing from the roof line, entered and discovered fire in the attic space above the bathroom in the double-wide mobile home, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. Fire Lt. Patrick Jacobson said they were joined by personnel from Napavine, Toledo and Vader fire departments. The Red Cross was going to help the woman out with a place to stay, Jacobson said. The damage was primarily to the attic and the cause is under investigation, he said.

PEDESTRIAN ASSAULTED

• Centralia police were called about 7:20 p.m. for an incident at the 100 block of South Silver Street in which a 21-year-old Centralia woman said she was walking down the street when a female struck her in the face with what she thought was a bottle. She was treated at the hospital for cuts, according to the Centralia Police Department. She said she didn’t wish to pursue charges, according to police.

CYBER CRIME

•  Centralia police at about 11:15 p.m. yesterday took a report of possible extortion via Facebook associated with an address on the 600 block of Centralia College Boulevard. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD

• Chehalis police were called about 10 a.m. yesterday to investigate a possible fraud associated with a location on the 600 block of West Main Street.

ATM HEIST

• A deputy was called to a campground at the 2200 block of Centralia-Alpha Road yesterday morning following the discovery someone had removed a cash machine from the laundry room area. It was taken sometime between 3:30 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

TOOLS, EQUIPMENT STOLEN

• A self-propelled lawn mower, a Stihl leaf blower and a weed eater were stolen from a shed at the 100 block of Spencer Road sometime between 3:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The loss is $950, according to the sheriff’s office.

• A deputy was called to the 1600 block of Bishop Road about 7:45 a.m. yesterday for a break-in to a business in which more than $2,000 worth of equipment was stolen. Among the items taken since about 6 p.m. on Saturday were a welder, a Husky air compressor as well as a surveillance system, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

VEHICLE  PROWL

• A vehicle parked inside a fenced compound at the 900 block of Johnson Road in Centralia was broken into and gas siphoned out of it, according to a report made to police about 7:50 a.m. yesterday.

DRUGS

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning they are referring a case for possession of a controlled substance to prosecutors in connection with finding suspected Suboxone – a medication used in the treatment of opioid addiction – inside a book in a 25-year-old inmate’s cell at the Lewis County Jail on Friday. The substance will be sent for testing, according to the sheriff’s office.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

• Chehalis police were called about 6:40 a.m. today about a person suspected to be “camped out” in the Honey Bucket at the 400 block of Northwest State Avenue. No arrest was made, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• It was a suspected equipment failure that caused a semi truck to end up on its side last night at U.S. Highway 12 and North Prairie Road, according to Lewis County Fire District 5. Firefighters responded to the scene shortly after 8 p.m. and determined the driver was uninjured, Fire Lt. Laura Hanson said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, suspicious circumstances, hit and run, vehicle collision, third-degree theft … and more among 180 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

•

U.S. Highway 12 at North Prairie Road. / Courtesy photo by Washington State Patrol

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Hank the dog’s human family will fight on.

After yesterday’s emotion laden court hearing about the fate of a pit bull terrier implicated in killing livestock, Lewis County District Court Judge R.W. Buzzard signed an order that Hank be euthanized by the close of the business day tomorrow.

Detained April, 2016

But today, a Lewis County Superior Court judge issued a “stay” meaning the dog cannot be put down during the next 30 days.

Hank’s owner, rural Centralia resident Jann Propp-Estimo, is represented by Bellingham animal lawyer Adam Karp.

Karp said after yesterday morning’s court proceedings, he would appeal and / or file a new lawsuit against the county.

Under Lewis County code, there was no option other than death for the canine after he was deemed in an administrative hearing to be a dangerous dog, for the events of last year in rural Winlock. However, that was delayed as county employees worked to find a lawful way to potentially declassify a dangerous dog.

Meanwhile, the pet that those at the Lewis County Animal Shelter felt was  really not an irredeemable killer, found himself with a new name and then adopted out to a new family. Propp-Estimo knew nothing of Hank’s past until Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer learned that someone bypassed the rules and had Hank impounded last month.

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners yesterday approved an amendment to the dangerous dog ordinance which allowed the appeal that took place in Lewis County District Court.

The new rules allowed for the judge to take into consideration new evidence including present behavior, character and disposition of the animal. Judge Buzzard wasn’t convinced.

Karp laid out a case that suggested Hank’s mother was the actual killer of the two goats.

Today’s order signed by Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler notes the matter was brought to him at the request of Karp and Lewis County, with both having agreed to the temporary reprieve.

The action gives Karp time to file his appeal.

However, Hank, formerly known as Tank, shall be euthanized no late than 48 hours following the expiration of Lawler’s order, unless he or another court intervenes.
•••

For background, read “Possible reprieve for dog implicated in goats’ deaths” from Wednesday May 31, 2017, here

Jann Propp-Estimo holds back tears as her son Jason Estimo speaks with their lawyer.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Lewis County judge ruled today the county should proceed to euthanize a pit bull terrier after viewing new evidence by an eyewitness that seemed to exonerate him in the killing of two goats.

The session this morning in Lewis County District Court follows a winding case in which the dog was deemed a dangerous animal under a county administrative process, but instead of being put down, was wrongly adopted out by the shelter to an unknowing Centralia family who handed Hank over when law enforcement came to retrieve him.

Detained April, 2016

Jann Propp-Estimo, seated next to her attorney, let out a sob as Judge R.W. Buzzard made his pronouncement.

“I find by clear and convincing evidence Ms. York got it right,” Buzzard said. “This dog by our codes is dangerous.”

Propp-Estimo’s lawyer Adam Karp shared information with the court about Hank’s disposition from those at the Lewis County Animal Shelter had the dog in custody for several months and once again are holding him and from Propp-Estimo whose family owned him from January until May.

Karp brought the Winlock man who owned the goats to testify and filed a declaration from a neighbor who saw what happened last year.

Julianna Engel, according to a deputy’s report at the time, made statements such as the two dogs chased, bit and killed the goat, Buzzard said. Her more recent sworn declaration specified it was Hank’s mother who engaged in the attack.

“These two statements could not be more different from one another,” Buzzard said.

Judge Buzzard noted that Engel was not present at the hearing to be questioned, but a statement given so close in time to the event is presumed to be more believable, he said.

At the end of the approximately 90 minute hearing, Lewis County Civil Deputy Prosecutor David Fine was instructed to bring back an order for Hank to be euthanized. Judge Buzzard said his signature would start a clock ticking for 48 hours.

Karp said he will appeal and / or file a new lawsuit against the county.

“This is bullsh*t,” Winlock resident Steven Rohr said. “He was not part of it, he was wrongly accused.”

Rohr, the owner of the goats, was visibly upset as he and a fair-sized crowd exited the courtroom.

He had taken the stand in defense of the dog, pointing out what he saw on the video taken by his dash cam that day. At first, he was prejudiced against the pit bull he then knew as Tank, he said. But after speaking with Engel, he changed his mind.

“Hank is sitting right there, wagging his tail,” Rohr had told the court as he pointed to a segment of the video that was shown. The actual killing did not appear on the tape.

Also among those assembled in the lobby on the third floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center was Debra Parscal, who owned Tank at the time. She said that after the incident, she had to tell her children she couldn’t come up with the money to meet the county’s demands for $500,000 worth of liability insurance to be able to keep their dog.

Today’s hearing was held simultaneous to a meeting by the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners in which they approved an amendment to the dangerous dog ordinance that allowed the appeal in Lewis County District Court.

The dog’s situation came to to the attention of county authorities in May, when Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer advised commissioners he learned that instead of putting the dog down last year, the Lewis County Animal Shelter changed its name to Hank and adopted him to the new family, without disclosing his pertinent background.

Propp-Estimo took Hank to her rural Centralia home in January, then relocated him to her grown son and grandson’s home in town, because her other dog, Bruce Almighty, didn’t care for the new addition.

Jason Estimo was disappointed and unhappy with the judge’s ruling.

“It seemed, uh, kind of intellectually really dishonest,” Estimo said. “They changed the ordinance to save Hank, and Hank’s still going to be put down.
•••

For background, read “Possible reprieve for dog implicated in goats’ deaths” from Wednesday May 31, 2017, here

•••

Updated at 2:23 p.m.

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS STOLEN FROM HOSPITALIZED WOMAN

• A 34-year-old Winlock woman was arrested yesterday at the end of a two-month long investigation which concluded she withdrew more than $43,000 from two accounts belonging to a woman who was hospitalized and subsequently died. Aurora S. Fulmer allegedly made more than 100 transactions in approximately a one-month period that ended on Feb. 8, according to the sheriff’s office. Fulmer was contacted yesterday, taken into custody and booked for seven counts of forgery and two counts of first-degree theft, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said this morning. Breen said the case is associated with an address on the 100 block of Fircrest Road in Centralia, but didn’t say how or if the suspect knew the victim.

MISSING MONEY

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning a case for second-degree theft is being referred to prosecutors in connection with a Sunday call to the 400 block of Jones Road in Centralia in which a father reported $800 cash vanished from the home during the two-hour time period when his 17-year-old son was left unattended there.

MOTOR MISSING

• Chehalis police were contacted just before 9 a.m. yesterday about a 6 horse power motor having been removed from a boat at the 1900 block of Northeast Kresky Avenue. The black Mercury long shaft motor was valued at $300, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

HARASSMENT

• Chehalis police were called about 9:40 a.m. yesterday to take a report of harassment over social media involving juveniles.

BEGGING IN THE STREET

• A 42-year-old man who police say was warned multiple times for aggressive panhandling and impeding traffic was arrested after an officer saw him standing in the middle of the road at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, allegedly trying to stop cars while asking for money. An officer responding about 1:35 p.m. yesterday took Todd D. Strenge, of Olympia, into custody and booked him into the Lewis County Jail for disorderly conduct, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• A pair of Centralia men are accused of stealing nearly $30,000 worth of materials from their employer, a recycling business that specializes in high pressure cylinders and gas tanks located on the 2600 block of Commercial Boulevard in Centralia. The theft wasn’t reported until after a December call to Cylinder Depot Inc. about damage to a back door as if someone tried to break in. A manager told a deputy he suspected 27-year-old Matthew B. Meyer and 31-year-old Christopher A. Clements who had been fired for allegedly stealing, according to court documents. When the deputy contacted the company’s owner, Brian Ogier, he was told the theft was discovered in October when Ogier learned the two men had been taking the stolen brass cylinder valves to Hand and Hand Recycling, according to charging papers. Ogier reported a loss of $29,959, according to the documents. Charges of first-degree theft and also first-degree trafficking in stolen property were filed in Lewis County Superior Court on May 16. The suspects were summonsed to appear in court yesterday afternoon, but only Meyer showed up. He was allowed release pending trial on a $5,000 unsecured bond. Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Jeffrey Schapp said the summons mailed to Clements was returned with a message saying he had moved to Ohio. Judge Andrew Toynbee ordered a no-bail bench warrant for Clements.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarm, dispute, vandalism, civil issue, suspicious circumstances, third-degree theft, disorderly person … and more among 131 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Jose M. Almanza is rolled into the courtroom for his bail hearing.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 19-year-old who got stabbed in the shin when he allegedly tried to forcibly take an acquaintance’s backpack is scheduled for an arraignment next week, but authorities said they plan to seek a mental evaluation.

Jose M. Almanza, 19, of Chehalis, was arrested early last Tuesday morning and then charged later in the day with second-degree attempted robbery.

Prosecutors said Almanza had been admitted to the hospital days earlier for being under the influence of Spice and that he was incoherent when officers spoke with him at the hospital on Tuesday, according to court documents.

He said he was “sorry”, asked “how is everyone” and stated “I thought he gave me the backpack,” when he was questioned, according to the documents.

His arrest came after police were called about 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday for a physical altercation near the freeway onramp at the Main Street-state Route 6 interchange, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

Police learned from the 41-year-old victim that Almanza had showed up at his nearby camp around midnight and was given an extra tent to stay in, but as time went on, Almanza became agitated, so the older man decided to leave and walk towards town, according to court documents.

The victim said Almanza followed him and began to demand his backpack, and when he refused, Almanza punched him in the face, court documents relate. The 41-year-old pulled out a folding knife from his pocket and when they went to the ground and Almanza continued to hit him, he stabbed Almanza in the leg, created some distance and called 911 for help, according to the court documents.

Both men were taken to the hospital to be treated. The 41-year-old man’s partial denture was broken, according to prosecutors.

When Almanza was brought in to Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon, he was rolled in in a wheel chair.

Defense attorney Rachael Tiller told the judge he he had been working full time in the industrial park, but if his bail was very high he would lose that income. She said her client had no criminal history.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher told the judge Almanza’s parents were in the courtroom and very concerned about his mental condition. Meagher asked that bail be set at $50,000.

Judge Andrew Toynbee agreed.

“The state anticipates there will be a request for a competency evaluation,” Meagher said.

Charging documents state Almanza was arrested for fourth-degree assault around the same time he was hospitalized for being on Spice and was just released from jail on Monday.

He was given a court appointed lawyer and his arraignment was put on the court calendar for Thursday.
•••

For background, read “Chehalis: Victim pulls knife on alleged thief” from Tuesday June 6, 2017, here

Edgar Ramirez-Dado consults with temporary defense attorney Rachael Tiller in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An intercepted message on a Centralia Middle School issued iPad arranging to buy $10 worth of marijuana from a somebody led to an arrest yesterday outside a Centralia convenience store, of a 22-year-old Chehalis resident also wanted on a $100,000 arrest warrant in a rape case.

Edgar Ramirez-Dado was arrested at the 400 block of West Main Street for allegedly planning to sell a little baggie of weed to two boys, ages 16 and 14, according to court documents.

He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for that and numerous outstanding warrants, including one that was issued late last year when a charge of second-degree rape was filed in a case investigated by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Lewis County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher today requested and was granted bail in the amounts of $100,000 and $50,000 for the two cases.

Ramirez-Dado was represented by temporary defense attorney Rachael Tiller this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court. Judge Andrew Toynbee appointed Centralia lawyer Don Blair to the cases.

Charging documents indicate a sheriff’s deputy met with a 26-year-old woman in mid-December 2015 when she described a party the night before with a lot of people in which she and her friend consumed a large amount of alcohol.

She said she was introduced to Ramirez-Dado and recalled being dragged by her arms by him into a bedroom and laying on a bed, before two girls came in and pulled her out, Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Melissa Bohm wrote in charging documents.

She had a couple more shots and the next thing she knew, she was in another room with Ramirez-Dado, according to Bohm.

Bohm wrote that the alleged victim recalled Ramirez-Dado pulling her panties off from beneath her dress and her telling him no and to stop, but she was too weak and drunk to push him away.

She said he raped her.

Charging documents indicate a deputy received a sexual assault report from Providence St. Peter Hospital in January 2016, but don’t explain why charges were not filed until nine months later.

The documents in the new case state that it was just yesterday when a school resource officer alerted a Centralia drug detective of the drug deal arrangement made through a messaging app on the school iPad.

Knowing the details, members of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team followed one of the boys to the Apex market on Main Street in Centralia.

Police contacted the 16-year-old and Ramirez-Dado inside a vehicle parked there. Inside Ramirez-Dado’s backpack, they allegedly found more than an ounce of marijuana buds, a scale and plastic bags.

Ramirez-Dado is charged with second-degree rape, a class A felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison. He is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and involving a minor in drug dealing. Those offenses each carry a maximum penalty of five years.

Meagher told the judge he felt the $100,000 bail was in order in the rape case because of the violent nature of the alleged offense and also because there was some indication an attempt was made to make sure the victim did not tell people what happened.

The 26-year-old victim also told a deputy that when it was over, Ramirez-Dado told her not to come out of the room for a few minutes so it would look like they were not together, according to charging documents.

His arraignment is scheduled for June 15.