Archive for January, 2014

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014

VEHICLE THEFT

• A resident at the 600 block of Northwest Center Street in Chehalis called 911 about 8 o’clock on Sunday morning to report his white 1998 Mazda pickup truck was stolen in the night.

• Chehalis police were called about 8:10 a.m. on Sunday to the 400 block of Northeast Adams Avenue in Chehalis where a 1991 blue Ford Ranger pickup had disappeared.

BARN THEFT ARREST

• A 40-year-old Napavine woman has been arrested in connection with an  early December theft of metal from a barn on the 800 block of Jackson Highway South near Toledo. Deputies following up on tips and vehicle information gleaned from a “trail camera” contacted Alicia J.  Gullickson in the Winlock area a week ago and then on Friday booked her into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported today.

ARREST IN ATTEMPTED BREAK-IN

• A 62-year-old Centralia man was arrested early Sunday morning in connection with an incident a week earlier in which he allegedly tried to break through the back door of a home on the 100 block of Union Avenue in Centralia. Deputies responding about 4:30 a.m. on that day were told the resident was in his kitchen when it occurred and yelled, causing the subject to flee, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s office. Sgt. Rob Snaza said he believes the two were neighbors but didn’t know a motive. Billy J. Martin was booked into the Lewis County Jail for malicious mischief, trespass and attempted residential burglary, Snaza said.

SEX CRIME

• A 20-year-old Centralia area resident was arrested on Friday night in connection with alleged incidents two weeks ago regarding a 14-year-old female acquaintance. Jonathon R. Nickols was booked into the Lewis County Jail for five counts of third-degree child rape, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

COLLISIONS

• Deputies were called about 6:30 a.m. today when a log truck struck a horse near milepost nine on Bunker Creek Road west of Centralia. The horse was in the roadway and did not survive,  according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• An un-named motorist was cited after a van collided with a man in a motorized wheelchair yesterday afternoon in Centralia, an incident that sent the victim to Providence Centralia Hospital. Police and aid were called about 4:10 p.m. to the area on South Washington Avenue at Centralia College Boulevard where the victim had been crossing the street in a crosswalk, according to the Centralia Police Department. The man suffered a significant laceration to his foot and may have a broken ankle as well, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrant, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, driving under the influence; responses for alarms, parking lot hit and run, merchant receiving counterfeit bills; complaints of loud neighbor, barking dog … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, January 20th, 2014

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

POLICE: TWO BARGE INTO HOME

• Two individuals were arrested after they allegedly forced their way into a Centralia apartment to confront tenants during a dispute last night. Police responding about 11:35 p.m. to the 1000 block of Centralia College Boulevard took into custody Jesse S. Johnson, 25, of Centralia, and Brandon J. Pina, 30, of Toledo, according to the Centralia Police Department. They were booked into the Lewis County Jail for burglary, according to police.

CONFRONTATION ON TOWER AVENUE LEADS TO ARREST

• A 24-year-old Centralia man is jailed after he allegedly punched two police officers during a struggle as he was being taken into custody at the 300 block of North Tower Avenue on Friday night. Wellington M. Waggener had been told by police not to come back to the business but when he returned a short time later officers responded and when advised he was under arrest, Waggener fought, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was subdued by four officers and a Taser, according to police, and then booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree burglary.

JEEP STOLEN

• Centralia police responded about 6 o’clock this morning to a report of a stolen vehicle from the 1300 block of Alexander Street. Missing is a silver 2006 Jeep Wrangler with a black soft top, according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT OF FUEL

• Someone stole gas from several vehicles parked at the 1000 block of South Gold Street during the night, according to a report made to police on Saturday morning.

CAR PROWL

• Police were called to the 200 block of North Oak Street in Centralia yesterday for an overnight vehicle prowl. Nothing appeared to be missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

LIVESTOCK AT LARGE CITATION

• Numerous complaints of horse getting loose from the 800 block of Yakima Street in Centralia led to a citation on Saturday morning to the 59-year-old owner.

EXPLOSIVE FOUND ON SIDEWALK

• A bomb technician with the Washington State Patrol was called to the area of South Oak and West Plum streets in Centralia yesterday to take possession of a homemade explosive device found on a public sidewalk. Officers responding about 11 a.m. report someone had tried to light it but it failed to detonate.

REWARD FOR INFO ON ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

• Lewis County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips regarding the attempted car jacking in Chehalis late last month behind the library. It was about 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 when a male acting as though he had a firearm confronted a motorist who was sitting in his car looking at his phone at Northeast Washington Avenue. The would-be robber demanded the vehicle but the 22-year-old victim pulled a pistol from his hip and the subject fled. The wanted person is described as a white male, about 5-feet 8-inches tall, with long dark hair and wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 for information leading to the clearance of crimes. Anonymous calls can be made to 1-800-748-6422 or information may be shared online at www.lewiscountycrimestoppers.org

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license; responses for violation of protection order, misdemeanor theft … and more.

•••

CORRECTION: A news item regarding the incident on North Tower Avenue has been updated to correct the first name of the arrested person and the day it occurred.

News brief: Memorial fund established for Toledo man Alex Oberg

Sunday, January 19th, 2014

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A donation account has been set up for the family of Toledo resident Alex Oberg, the 63-year-old who lost his life falling trees last week.

Diane Wallace, the longtime business manager of Lewis County Fire District 2, said the numerous phone calls and inquiries about what might be done prompted her to visit Timberland Bank on Friday.

“When something like that happens, such a tragedy, so sudden, in your small town, it helps for people who want to help,” Wallace said. “They just want to do something.”

And, it will help with any expenses that arise with the loss of the long time community member, according to Wallace.

Oberg was working alone on Thursday cutting timber for a property owner on the 200 block of Maw Road when a tree fell on him. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said he was employing a “domino” tree falling technique in which saw cuts had been made to multiple trees.

As expected, the Lewis County coroner concluded it was an accident. Oberg died from multiple internal injuries due to blunt impact to his head and chest, Coroner Warren McLeod said on Saturday.

Donations can be made to the “Alex Oberg Memorial Fund” at any Timberland Bank branch, or may be mailed to Timberland Bank, PO Box 245, Toledo, Wash., 98591.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Saturday, January 18th, 2014

MAN INJURED IN CENTRALIA TRAILER FIRE

• A man using a heat gun for warmth in a travel trailer is hospitalized after he woke up to fire this morning in Centralia. Firefighters responding about 7:20 a.m. to the blaze in the 400 block of Madison Street found the approximately 16-foot trailer fully engulfed in flames and threatening an adjacent two-story house, according to Riverside Fire Authority. The individual is very fortunate he made it out, Assistant Chief Rick Mack said. He had fallen back asleep but woke up to thick, black, choking smoke and flames, according to Mack. The victim managed to exit the trailer, but sustained minor burns on his hands and his head, Mack said. He was transported by aid to Providence Centralia Hospital. “He also inhaled quite a bit of smoke so he’ll be in there till they can ascertain the extent of his injuries,” he said. The trailer was destroyed and the house sustained damage to its exterior side, according to Riverside. The loss is estimated at $14,000. Mack said the heat gun was a hand held device typically used in construction.  He said he believed the victim was in his 30s or 40s.

ASSAULT

• A 44-year-old Centralia man was arrested this morning for second-degree assault for allegedly striking an individual in the head with a metal object. Officers responding about 7:30 a.m. to the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue booked Glenn D. Williams into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police began looking for a 28-year-old Tumwater man following an assault reported about 12:20 p.m. yesterday at the 1100 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia. Adam P. Chapman is wanted for second-degree assault in connection with an incident involving his brother, according to the Centralia Police Department.

TRAIN HOPPING

• A 46-year-old Chehalis resident was arrested about 11 a.m. yesterday for criminal trespass after allegedly climbing onto a train while it was stopped near East Maple Street in Centralia. Apolicarpio Mares-Maldujano was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, January 17th, 2014

DRUGS

• A 31-year-old Glenoma man was arrested yesterday allegedly with about eight grams of methamphetamine on him. Deputies in the area of the 8000 block of U.S. Highway 12 at about 2 p.m. spotted Jesse Bailey, who was wanted on numerous warrants,  according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He ran but subsequently was contacted and searched, according to Sgt. Rob Snaza. Bailey was booked for the warrants, for possession of meth and for resisting arrest, according to Snaza.

• A 22-year-old Mossyrock resident was arrested for possession of synthetic drugs yesterday morning after police were alerted he had a warrant and was near the Lewis County Mall. A search of Adam I. McGowan turned up what appeared to be bindles containing a white substance in his wallet, according to the Chehalis Police Department. McGowan was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

RUM RUN

• A 20-year-old homeless person who was caught allegedly trying to hide a bottle of Bacardi rum and Solo plastic cups in his coat at Wal-Mart yesterday afternoon was arrested for misdemeanor theft. Tucker W. Bethune reportedly told an officer he was only trying to make some money, according to the Chehalis Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail also for minor in possession of an intoxicating beverage.

STOLEN GUN

• Centralia police arrested a 17-year-old boy yesterday afternoon in connection the 300 block of West Pine Street, related to theft of a firearm and first-degree burglary. Further details were not readily available.

FRAUD ALERT

• U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan joined federal law enforcement partners this week warning about a growing problem of identity theft related to tax refund fraud. Scammers across the country are using other people’s personal information to try to claim income tax refunds, according to Durkan, of the Western District of Washington. People may not know they are a victim until they try to file their tax return and it is rejected because someone using their Social Security Number has already filed and claimed a refund, she states in a news release. “Protecting your personal information has never been more critical,” Durkan states. “Always mail your tax documents from a secure mailbox, or file electronically on a secure network. Using a trusted tax professional and filing early can also protect you from being a victim.”  The problem last year affected about 700 residents of the state. Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Washington Coalition of Crime Victim Advocates (WCCVA) have resources for victims of identity theft. Find them at www.ftc.gov and www.wccva.org

WRECKS

• A 19-year-old Centralia woman was cited for second-degree negligent driving when she diverted her attention while looking for an item and drove into a tree yesterday morning on the 1600 block of Seminary Hill. A deputy responding about 8 a.m. noted Rachel Geringer was not injured,  according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• An 18-year-old Cinebar resident was hospitalized after a two-vehicle wreck this afternoon on state Route 122, about four miles west of Mossyrock. A trooper responding about 3:30 p.m. found that Olivia M. Yates’ Kia Sportage was westbound when it crossed the centerline and ran into an eastbound Pontiac, according to the Washington State Patrol. Yates was transported to Morton General Hospital, according to the state patrol. The 30-year-old woman in the other vehcile was reportedly uninjured. Both vehicles were described as totaled.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, domestic misdemeanor assault; responses for alarms, suspicious circumstances, minor collision on city street; complaint a customer was smoking meth in fast food drive through … and more.

Rochester cold case homicide warms up

Friday, January 17th, 2014

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

New information has surfaced in the unsolved death of a 37-year-old Thurston County woman whose nude body was discovered alongside a Rochester road seven years ago, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Karen L. Bodine died of homicidal violence and it is believed she may have fallen victim because of her association with people in the drug sub-culture, according to the sheriff’s office.

She was found the morning of Jan. 22, 2007 at a gravel pit adjacent to Littlerock Road Southwest.

While early on, it appeared there were people with knowledge about Bodine’s death, the trail quickly went cold, sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said in a news release this morning.

Recently however, new information has come up that leads investigators to think the trail is once again hot, according to Elwin.

All aspect of the evidence are being reviewed, and interviews will be re-conducted.

“(D)etectives continue to work this case and hope the passage of time will help those with knowledge of this horrendous crime come forward,” Elwin stated.

Anyone with information about her death, as well as the days leading up to it, is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Detective Cameron Simper can be reached by phone at 360-754-3343 or by email at simperc@co.thurston.wa.us. TCSO Investigative Services can be reached by email at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us or through Facebook. Tipsters can also contact Olympia-Thurston County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or at http://www.crimebusters.org

Toledo man killed in logging incident

Friday, January 17th, 2014

Updated at 12:09 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 63-year-old Toledo man is dead after a logging accident yesterday afternoon about four miles east of Toledo.

It appeared he was working alone when a tree fell on him, according to Lewis County Fire District 2.

“My understanding is the deceased was overdue and a relative or relatives went to the job site and found him,” Fire Chief Grant Wiltbank said.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said it occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. yesterday in a wooded area at the 200 block of Maw Road. Firefighters, medics and deputies responded to the call at 5 p.m.

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office identifies him as Alex Oberg.

Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Rob Snaza said it appeared the victim was employing a “domino” tree falling technique in which saw cuts were made to multiple trees in order to create a cascade of falling trees.

Wind gusts may have caused some to fall while he was cutting others, Snaza said.

The state Department of Labor and Industries and the coroner’s office are conducting investigations, according to Snaza.

Coroner Warren McLeod said an autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow, but there is no reason to think it was anything other than an accident.