Archive for November, 2013

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, November 21st, 2013

BASEBALL BAT THREAT

• A 56-year-old Centralia man was arrested for second-degree assault yesterday after he allegedly swung a metal baseball bat at an 18-year-old woman during a dispute. Officers called just after 11 a.m. to the home on the 1000 block of E Street booked Jay B. Woods into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department. The woman was not injured, according to police. Woods is to be released without charges pending further investigation.

RECOVERED STOLEN CAR

• Police arrested a 27-year-old Rochester man yesterday afternoon after spotting a vehicle stolen from Thurston County parked on the 800 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia. Two people were detained at about 4 p.m., according to the Centralia Police Department. Booked into the Lewis County jail for possession of stolen property was Johnathan L.B. Pennypacker, 22, according to police. Kathryn R. Dailey, 28, of Centralia, was booked for outstanding warrants, police reported.

STOLEN CAR

• Centralia police we called yesterday to the 1200 block of G Street to take a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim told police she had loaned her silver and purple 2005 Scion XB to an individual awhile back who wouldn’t return it and subsequently told her he’d sold it for drugs and money, according to the Centralia Police Department.

GUNS STOLEN

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning someone burglarized a residence outside Chehalis sometime between Friday and Monday stealing three firearms. A deputy responded to a report made on Tuesday from the 200 block of Lake Creek Road and learned that missing were a shotgun, a rifle and a revolver, according to the sheriff’s office.

WELDER MISSING

• Chehalis police were called just before 11 a.m. yesterday to a business on the 600 block of West Main Street about a missing welder. The Lincoln brand items is valued at approximately $750, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PURSE MISSING

• A woman called Centralia police yesterday to report she’d accidentally left her purse in a shopping cart after loading groceries into her car at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue and didn’t realize it until she got home. When she returned, it had not been turned in to the lost and found, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PURSE STOLEN

• Police were called about 6:30 p.m. yesterday to the 1300 block of Lum Road in Centralia where they were told a male wearing a yellow and black hooded sweatshirt stole a handbag and fled on foot.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Chehalis police were called yesterday about someone getting into an unlocked vehicle overnight at the 400 block of Southeast Washington Avenue. Missing is a traffic vest and identification, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstruction; responses for alarm, domestic dispute, misdemeanor theft, receipt of counterfeit money, suspicious circumstances, parking lot and other collisions, concern about a family member off their mental illness meds … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, November 20th, 2013

Updated at 1:03 p.m.

POLICE: SUSPECT STEALS CASH OFF EX-GIRLFRIEND

• Centralia police say a known suspect in his 30s forced his ex-girlfriend to drive him from Chehalis to Centralia last night, snatched a small amount of money from her at the 1400 block of Lum Road and made her drive to another location to get more money. When the woman, who is in her early 40s, was at the second place, she got away from him and had a friend call police, according to the Centralia Police Department. It happened around midnight and officers were still looking for the suspect this morning, according to Sgt. Kurt Reichert. She was unhurt, except for some scratches from when the money was grabbed from out of her clothing, according to Reichert. The two are from the Centralia, Chehalis areas, he said.

TWO FIREARMS STOLEN FROM HOME

• A deputy was called about 9 p.m. yesterday to the 200 block of Carroll Way outside Chehalis about residential burglary in which a 9 mm Taurus handgun and 22 caliber Rohm revolver were among the items stolen. The 49-year-old victim said it occurred sometime between 3 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Also taken was an alternator from a vehicle and an AM/FM cassette stereo, according to the sheriff’s office.

CENTRALIA RESIDENT BLAMED FOR FAKE BILLS

• Centralia police called about 9 a.m. yesterday about an individual attempting to spend counterfeit money at a business on the 1400 block of Johnson Road are trying to track down the 23-year-old man who reportedly previously passed the fake bills to the individual, to purchase a jacket. When officers contacted their suspect a short time later, he was wearing the jacket but dropped it and fled, according to the Centralia Police Department. Jacob D. Holmgren, of Centralia, is being sought for forgery – allegedly knowingly passing counterfeit money – and resisting arrest, according to Sgt. Kurt Reichert.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR MORTON THEFT

• A 55-year-old woman was arrested last night in Randle in connection with the theft reported on Friday of more than $800 worth of gold and silver jewelry from the 100 block of Chapman Road near Morton. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said the 53-year-old victim said it occurred sometime since Oct. 11. Deborah L. West, who was contacted around 8 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of Kelly Lane in Randle, was arrested for second-degree theft and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. West is from East Lewis County but currently homeless, according to Sgt. Rob Snaza. She was released without charges pending further investigation.

HIT AND RUN

• Chehalis police were called to the 600 block of Southwest William Avenue yesterday about an apparent hit and run which had occurred sometime in the previous week. There was damage to the northeast corner of a garage, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• An officer who happened upon what appeared to be sexual activity inside a vehicle at Fort Borst Park in Centralia yesterday afternoon contacted a pair of teenagers, smelled marijuana and ended up arresting 18-year-old Jody L. Hyde of Centralia for unlawful possession of marijuana. He and his female companion were then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 1 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Southwest 16th Avenue about a possible marijuana violation. The case is under investigation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• The 51-year-old Toledo man who led multiple law enforcement agencies on a freeway-speeds pursuit down into Cowlitz County and then back north on Interstate 5 on Sunday night managing to avoid spike strips set out in at least two locations, had gotten into a fight with his wife and made a comment about “suicide by cop” before leaving Toledo, according to court documents. The prolonged incident ended near Centralia after spike strips disabled his van, according to charging papers. Authorities say Jamey D. Brown refused to get out and when officers saw what looked to be a gas can and lighter, they broke a window and used non-lethal force to make him cooperate. Centralia police said they shot him with a bean bag gun. Brown was charged with malicious mischief, for allegedly kicking in a door at the residence; with fourth-degree assault for allegedly pouring dish soap on his wife’s head and telling her she should clean up; and with attempting to elude, according to court documents. When asked why he did not stop, he said he “just lost it.” Bail was set at $25,000 when he was charged on Monday in Lewis County Superior Court. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting; responses for alarm, collisions with parked vehicles, report of possible child molestation … and more.

Arson suspect: Voices, hallucinations lead to kerosene and a torch at Ethel store

Wednesday, November 20th, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The 58-year-old man who allegedly admitted he tried to burn down his brother’s business in Ethel over the weekend is scheduled for an arraignment tomorrow in Lewis County Superior Court.

Mark S. Breitenbach, of Castle Rock, told law enforcement officers when he was contacted at the Ethel Store he was trying to destroy the place as voices were telling him they were going to kill him and his brother had put a “hit” on him, according to the allegations in court documents.

Breitenbach remains held in the Lewis County Jail on $100,000 bail.

According to court documents, officers arriving about 3:20 a.m. on Saturday to the  1400 block of U.S. Highway 12 found the glass to the front door busted out and puddles of Coleman stove fuel and a newspaper “torch” inside the building. A deputy observed two black burn marks on the floor inside the front door, according to documents.

A trooper had already arrived because of a vehicle found in the ditch on the south side of the highway, and Breitenbach had come out from his hiding place near a port-potty to give himself up, according to the documents.

Breitenbach reportedly told the deputy he initially tried to enter by ramming his car through the doors but when he tried to get a running start, he lost control and put it in the ditch. After lighting the torch and tossing it inside, he ran eastbound, but fell into a water-filled ditch and was waiting on the roadside for a semi truck to pass so he could run in front of it and be killed, he told the deputy.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matt Schlecht noted that as he spoke with Breitenbach, he seemed worried about passing cars, saying they were the hit man who was going to shoot him in the head, according to court documents.

Breitenbach has a 1987 conviction out of Los Angeles for assault with a firearm, according to charging papers.

He was appointed a lawyer on Monday afternoon when he was charged with second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

SHOP WITH A COP COMING

• Employees of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office are looking for donations and for kids for its annual Shop with a Cop event. The program is an opportunity for underprivileged children who would benefit from positive interaction with police officers to go Christmas shopping for gifts for themselves and their family. The deadline of today to submit an application on behalf of a child to take part has been extended to Nov. 27. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown says the program is aimed towards children who live in unincorporated areas of Lewis County, as the police departments in Centralia and Chehalis conduct events for their residents. Brown says also their program is funded by employees and they are appreciative of any and all donations and financial assistance. Checks, cash or money orders can be sent to: Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Chief Stacy Brown, 345 W. Main St, Chehalis, WA 98532.

DRESS DUMMY UNCLOTHED

• Centralia police were called yesterday to the 1200 block of Lum Road where an unknown suspect had stolen a pair of jeans off a mannequin that had been left outside overnight near the Centralia Outlets.

OTHER THEFT

• Centralia police were called to the 200 block of South Pearl Street about 10:15 a.m. yesterday regarding the theft of unspecified items from a locked display case. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• An officer took a report yesterday of a window broken out of a vehicle overnight at the 800 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault; responses for stolen bicycle, other misdemeanor theft, possible suicide threat; complaint of loud music … and more.

Breaking news: Jury finds Ricky Riffe guilty in Maurin homicides

Monday, November 18th, 2013
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Ricky A. Riffe, right, stands before Judge Richard Brosey as he is pronounced guilty in the 1985 deaths of Ed and Minnie Maurin today.

Updated at 6:34 p.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Ricky A. Riffe has been found guilty in the slayings of Ed and Minnie Maurin, the elderly Ethel couple whose bodies were found off a logging road near Adna on Christmas Eve day in 1985, shotgun wounds through their backs.

The jury took about a day and a half of deliberating to reach its decision.

Denise Snell was among the many family members and friends of the couple who gathered in Lewis County Superior Court in Chehalis this afternoon to hear the verdicts. The trial lasted six weeks, the investigation nearly three decades.

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Ed and Minnie Maurin

The Onalaska woman said now that it’s over, her grandparents can be remembered like the wonderful, loving people that they were and not just as homicide victims.

“I want them remembered like that, like it should be,” Snell said.

Two of Minnie’s children, now in their 80s, were in the front bench in the courtroom as they have been throughout the proceedings.

Hazel Oberg said simply, “I’m relieved.”

Denny Hadaller’s emotions kept him from finding exactly the right words, he said.

“I’m elated, and I’m sorry for his family,” Hadaller said. “I knew he was guilty, I knew it in 1992. We just couldn’t prove it.”

Riffe, now 55, was arrested last year in at his home in King Salmon, Alaska and returned to Lewis County. The sheriff’s office has said he and his younger brother were suspects as early as the 1990s, but previous prosecutors wouldn’t file charges.

Hadaller hired private investigators 10 years ago who reviewed the apparent abduction of the couple from their home. New witnesses came forward, according to the sheriff’s office.

On Dec. 19, 1985, Ed Maurin withdrew $8,500 in $100 bills from Sterling Savings Bank in Chehalis and the couple’s blood stained car was found abandoned the following morning at Yard Birds Shopping Center. It wasn’t until five days later they were located.

Investigators found they were shot from behind while sitting in their car on Stearns Hill Road, their bodies dumped.

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Ricky A. Riffe

A jury of eight women and four men began their deliberations late on Thursday and at lunchtime today indicated they were nearly finished with their duty, sending a message to the judge that they’d made a mistake on two of the forms and needed new ones.

An hour later, about 60 people crowded into the spectator side of the courtroom. Judge Richard Brosey began reading the verdicts at 2:10 p.m.

Riffe was found guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder, although the jury had the option of second-degree given to them in their instructions.

They found him guilty also of two counts each of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and one count of first-degree burglary as well.

The jury answered yes on the special verdict forms, that they found the crimes involved particularly vulnerable victims, deliberate cruelty and the defendant showed an egregious lack of remorse.

Ed Maurin was 81, his wife Minnie was 83 years old.

“They answered everything we wanted to be answered,” Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said.

Meyer gave credit to the hard work of detective Bruce Kimsey and Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead.

“And to the family, for never giving up,” Meyer said.

Riffe’s partner of 24 years, Sherry Tibbetts, and her son and another relation left the courtroom once he was taken away. It didn’t appear he even looked their direction before leaving.

Local attorney Sam Groberg stood in for Riffe’s lawyer, John Crowley, who had to be in another court today.

Riffe was charged as as the principal player or as an accomplice, and only the jury knows exactly what it believed occurred.

One witness testified he saw both brothers inside the Maurin’s vehicle the morning of Dec. 19, heading away from their home. Other witnesses who saw the car that day at key places saw one person in the backseat.

Numerous witnesses picked out both brothers from montages, brothers who some witnesses said did everything together. John Gregory Riffe died last year at age 50 before he could be charged.

Crowley this evening said he’s not a sore loser but it wasn’t a fair prosecution, and the things he saw were appalling.

“I’ve never seen a case where as a rule, witnesses changed from what they told police initially to when they testified,” Crowley said. “And the prosecutors did it with a straight face.”

It’s not over, according to Crowley.

“We’re not giving up, we’re going to investigate and Rick’s gonna get justice,” he said.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

•••

For background, read “Maurin murder trial: What will the jury decide?” from Saturday November 16, 2013, here

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Hazel Oberg and Denny Hadaller embrace, surrounded by family after the verdict comes in guilty in the 1985 deaths of their mother and step father.

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Ricky A. Riffe’s longtime girlfriend Sherry Tibbetts, center, and family wait for the verdict to be read.

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Hazel Oberg talks with a news reporter while her niece Denise Snell looks on.

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Denny Hadaller sits with his daughter while Ricky Riffe talks with his stand-in lawyer today in Lewis County Superior Court.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Updated at 12:30 p.m.

ATTEMPTED ARSON

• A 58-year-old Castle Rock man was arrested early on Saturday morning after he allegedly tried to burn down the Ethel Market. A trooper called around 3:20 a.m. about a vehicle in a  ditch and a deputy responding to a smashed window at the business on the 1400 block of U.S. Highway 12 contacted the suspect who reportedly admitted involvement. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office says Mark S. Breitenbach used kerosene and Coleman fuel from inside the store which he poured onto the floor and lit before running away and falling into a ditch. He was arrested for second-degree arson and second-degree burglary, according to the sheriff’s office. It’s not clear why he might have done it or if there was much damage, but the fire department was not called to respond. Sgt. Rob Snaza said they don’t know his motive.

ONE ARRESTED FOR VARIOUS BREAK-INS

• A 35-year-old Pe Ell man was arrested yesterday in connection with burglaries in recent days in Vader and Pe Ell, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies following up on cases contacted Daniel G. Thompson Jr. and subsequently booked him into the Lewis County Jail for two counts of burglary and two counts of possession of stolen vehicles involving a 1997 Ford F350 and a 1998 Dodge Stratus, according to the sheriff’s office. Sgt. Rob Snaza said the investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible. Thompson is the same man arrested earlier this month when deputies found a stolen Massey Ferguson tractor from Curtis on his property in Pe Ell, according to Snaza.

BURGLARY IN MINERAL

• A 90-year-old Mineral woman called law enforcement yesterday to report someone had come inside her home sometime since the day before and stolen $400 cash from her wallet. It appeared they got in through an unsecured window, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The burglary on the 600 block of Pleasant Valley Road is under investigation, Sgt. Rob Snaza said this morning.

STOLEN JEWELRY MORTON

• A deputy was called to the 100 block of Chapman Road near Morton regarding the theft of more than $800 worth of gold and silver jewelry sometime between Oct. 11 and Friday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

FUEL HEIST

• Police were called to the 200 block of Northwest Quincy Place in Chehalis on Friday morning regarding approximately 50 gallons of diesel stolen from a Freightliner truck overnight. The approximate value is $200, according to police.

VEHICLE PROWL

• A 25-year-old Chehalis man was arrested for multiple counts of attempted and actual vehicle prowl as well as misdemeanor theft last night at the 300 block of Southwest Third Street in Chehalis. Police were called about 11 p.m. after an individual reported someone inside their vehicle who fled and then was chased by two males, according to the Chehalis Police Department. As a dog track was underway, officers heard yelling from behind the apartment building, “We’ve got him,” according to police. Officers found several subjects gathered around the 25-year-old suspect and took him into custody, Officer Linda Bailey said. Brandon D. Woody was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to Bailey. Among the items recovered were a beanie hat, a cell phone charger and a makeup bag, Bailey said.

• Chehalis police took a report of a car prowl on the 400 block of Northeast Washington Avenue on Friday in which someone took keys and a black case containing scissors from an unlocked vehicle during the previous few days.

ASSAULT ASHFORD

• A deputy was called regarding a second-degree assault at the 300 block of North Skate Creek Road in Ashford at about 6 p.m. on Friday. The deputy was told the 69-year-old woman that her boyfriend tried to choke her during an argument when they returned home from a tavern, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Michael D. Manning, 57, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

COLLISIONS

• A 50-year-old Tenino woman was uninjured but arrested for first-degree negligent driving after a single-car collision about 5 p.m. on Friday on Centralia-Alpha Road near milepost 8 outside Chehalis. Treva Bittler told a deputy she had leaned down to light a cigarette and her car crossed into the oncoming lane and struck an embankment, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Her 2002 Volkswagen Golf sustained major damage but she was unhurt, Sgt. Rob Snaza said. Bittler had allegedly been consuming alcohol and was subsequently booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to Snaza.

• An 18-year-old Chehalis driver avoided injury but did major damage to his car when he wrecked on Saturday evening at the 300 block of Brown Road West,  according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responding about 6:30 p.m. issued a citation for speeds too fast for conditions, according to Sgt. Rob Snaza.

• A 23-year-old Toledo resident was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital with minor injuries after a truck in which they were a passenger flipped and wrecked on a logging road near Toledo Friday morning. A deputy called about 9:45 a.m. to the area about a mile up from the end of Toledo-Salmon Creek Road learned the driver was coming down a hill and lost control of his 1977 Ford pickup truck striking an embankment, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The driver is 23-year-old Joshua P. Razsa, 23, and the passenger Jordan L. Razsa, both of Toledo, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, misdemeanor assault, shoplifting; responses for alarm, parking lot hit and runs, fight outside bar … and more.

News brief: Tenino family wakes to house fire

Monday, November 18th, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Nobody was injured but a family of five is displaced after a house fire in Tenino on Saturday morning that damaged a home built in 1897.

Six fire departments responded to the blaze at about 6 a.m. on the 100 block of Wichman Street South, according to Thurston County Fire District 12.

Smoke alarms woke up the residents who were able to get out, Battalion Chief James Fowler said.

Arriving units found flames at the back of the house and with help were finally able to extinguish it, he said.

It began in the area of a wood stove and destroyed the back entry way, a pantry and a laundry room, he said. A daughter’s bedroom at the rear of the home sustained smoke and water damage as well, according to Fowler.

Fire District 12 is waiting for the insurance investigators to look into the cause.

The two-story structure is one of the original homes in Tenino, Fowler said, known as the McArthur House.

“It’s a beautiful old farmhouse is what it is,” Fowler said. “We had to cut a lot of holes in it.”

The Red Cross was called to assist the two adults and three children, he said.