Archive for October, 2014

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Updated at 6:01 p.m.

BIG WIRE THEFT

• Someone stole an estimated $6,000 worth of wire from a rock pit at the 3000 block of Foron Road outside Centralia over the weekend, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown reports this morning that 400 feet of wire was taken from Dulin Construction between Friday and Monday. Brown said she didn’t know if it was in-use wiring ripped from machinery or a building or if it was product that was being stored.

AUTO THEFT

• A black 1996 Honda Accord was reported stolen yesterday between 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. from behind the football stadium  off the 2500 block of Mount Vista Road in Centralia. Paint is peeling from the trunk and roof of the four-door vehicle, with a license plate reading 505 XRH,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

MOTEL SERVICES THEFT

• A 66-year-old Centralia woman was arrested yesterday at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia for allegedly refusing to leave or pay for a room she rented. Centralia police called about 1:40 p.m. cited Alexa S. Hoover for defrauding an innkeeper and then released her, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FAKE BILL

• Chehalis police were called to Wal-Mart around 11:40 p.m. yesterday when a customer attempted to spend what turned out to be a counterfeit $100 bill. An officer took possession of the bill to send along to the U.S. Secret Service but there was no established intent on the part of the 64-year-old Centralia man to engage in wrongdoing, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

LEWIS COUNTY MAN FACES ELUDING AND RELATED CHARGES

• A 44-year-old Mineral resident pleaded not guilty yesterday in Cowlitz County Superior Court to numerous charges stemming from an incident earlier this month in which he allegedly rammed patrol cars and led police on a chase through Longview, according to The (Longview) Daily News. News reporter Justin Pittman writes that on Oct. 5 when the pursuit ended, Mark A. Koopman refused to leave his vehicle and began cutting himself, prompting an officer to break a window, leading to a laceration that required surgery.

FROM THE COURTS

• An opinion filed yesterday by the Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a dismissal by a Lewis County Superior Court judge of a felony shoplifting charge against a Centralia man from last year. In February 2013, 41-year-old Tom Reeves of Centralia was arrested after allegedly using pliers to cut a security device from merchandise at Wal-Mart in Chehalis, and fleeing on his bicycle. Police located Reeves just down the road and recovered a stolen surveillance camera set from a backpack, according to authorities, and prosecutors charged him with retail theft with extenuating circumstances. The felony charge was based on the theory the use of pliers was an extenuating circumstance, but the law states “(A)n extenuating circumstance for retail theft includes being in possession of ‘an item, article, implement, or device designed to overcome security systems including, but not limited to, lined bags or tag removers’.” The trial court reasoned that including common tools in the definition of devices designed to overcome security systems would render every act of removing a security device an extenuating circumstance, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeals Division II wrote.

LOST IN THE WOODS

• Lewis County Search and Rescue this morning located a pair of mushroom hunters who had spent the night outside near Packwood. A spokesperson for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office had no further information this morning. Lewis County Fire District 10 Chief Lonnie Goble said his department was not called to render any aid.

COLLISION

• A 60-year-old Glenoma man was transported to the hospital this afternoon after his car ran off of U.S. Highway 12 near Randle and struck a tree. Bert D. Dallman was westbound and traveling too fast for conditions when he wrecked about 2 p.m., roughly four miles west of town, according to the Washington State Patrol. The 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier was totaled, according to the state patrol. Lewis County Fire District 14 Chief Jeff Jaques said the driver’s injuries were minor. “He traveled through the grass a ways before he hit the tree,” Jaques said. “It was a pretty good-sized fir tree; the tree didn’t give.”

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, found bicycle, disorderly person, misdemeanor assault, possible sex-related offense, suspicious circumstances, bullying at school, collisions on city streets … and more.

•••

CORRECTION: This has been updated to correctly identify the woman cited and removed from a Centralia motel for refusing to pay. Centralia police erroneously reported to the news media that it was a 57-year-old Centralia with a different name.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, October 21st, 2014

GUNS SEIZED FROM CHEHALIS MAN AFTER ALLEGED RIFLE POINTING INCIDENT

• Deputies were called yesterday by a motorist on Highway 603 west of Chehalis who said a shirtless blond man in a yard was waving a gun in the air and when he drove by again, the man pointed the rifle at him. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said it happened about 3:15 p.m. along the 300 block and deputies subsequently located their suspect standing on his porch on the 500 block of Highway 603. The suspect screamed and yelled aggressively at deputies, one of whom pulled out a Taser and the suspect was taken to the ground and taken into custody, according to the sheriff’s office. James P. Sauter, 51, of Chehalis, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault,  Brown said. Seized from Sauter’s vehicle were a handgun, an assault rifle and ammunition, according to Brown.

STOLEN MEDS CHEHALIS

• Chehalis police were called yesterday to 200 block of Southeast Washington Avenue regarding numerous prescription medications missing, totaling more than $1,500, including pain killers and one drug which was valued at $1,200, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The victim has a suspect in mind, according to police.

BUSINESS BURGLED IN MOSSYROCK

• Morton police yesterday reported they are investigating a burglary to a business on the 200 block of East State Street in Mossyrock. An officer called about 1:40 p.m. on Sunday learned from the owner that money was stolen after someone cut the gate on the fence and pried open a door to get inside. The amount missing was undetermined as of yesterday, according to the Morton Police Department.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police responded to an approximately 3 p.m. call yesterday about a burglary to a vacant house on the 1000 block of Eckerson Road. Officers were provided a video showing the suspects, according to the Centralia Police Department.

POLICE: IMPOSTER TAKES PHONES FROM BUSINESS

• Centralia police took a report yesterday from a business on the 1200 block of Lum Road regarding cell phones stolen by someone posing as a sales representative of another cell phone phone store. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT FROM GARAGE IN WINLOCK

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning that a deputy took a report of a chainsaw stolen from an open garage on the 900 block of Byham Road outside Winlock. The Stihl brand item engraved with the name “Jack Miller” disappeared sometime between noon on Oct. 11 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.

FRAUD

• An individual called Chehalis police yesterday to report someone unauthorized used their debit card to spend $50.91 at a gas station  on the 100 block of Southwest Interstate Avenue.

CHECK BAD

• Chehalis police are investigating after being told late yesterday afternoon that someone put a stop payment on a large check cashed or spent at a business on the 2100 block of North National Avenue.

WEAPONS TAKEN IN CAR PROWLS

• A vehicle that broke down in a parking lot yesterday at the 1500 block of Lincoln Creek Road west of Centralia was prowled sometime between 6 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The rear window was broken and among the property taken was a Remington hunting rifle, a Hawaiian print backpack and men’s clothing, according to the sheriff’s office.

• An officer was called to the Lewis County Mall yesterday afternoon  regarding a vehicle prowl in which someone stole a tool box, two compound bows and other items including a stereo. The victim had left the truck three days earlier with a flat tire in the parking lot at the 100 block of Northeast Hampe Way, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE VERSUS PEDESTRIAN

• Morton police reported yesterday they were told by witnesses that a female pedestrian stepped right out into the street without looking before she was struck by a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon. Her injuries were minor but she was transported to Morton General Hospital after the approximately 4:30 p.m. incident at Temple Avenue and Third Street, according to the Morton Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor theft, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, hit and run, found bicycle, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, deer jumping onto county road causing two-vehicle collision, rear-end collision on county road causing major damage to a Volvo but only minor damage to a Kia Optima and a Chevrolet Camaro … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, October 20th, 2014

BURGLARY

• Someone stole about $5,000 worth of old coins from a safe at a residence on the 100 block of Clark Road in Onalaska sometime during the week that ended on Friday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said there is a person of interest.

• Chehalis police took a report on Friday that a Remington shotgun was stolen from a residence on the 200 block of James Street.

DOMESTIC ON FREEWAY

• Shane L. Davis, 41 of Vancouver, was handed over to troopers last night after he was found hiding in the woods behind a home on the 2300 block of Blair Road in Centralia. Officers responded about 5:25 p.m. to assist troopers who were dealing with a reported assault on Interstate 5 just north of the city, according to the Centralia Police Department. The suspect had fled into the woods, according to police. A dog track was unsuccessful, until about to hours later when police were called about a suspicious male, police report. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for fourth-degree assault.

PORN SCAM

• Chehalis police were called on Friday by a man who said a popup porn message appeared on his cell phone after his teenage son attempted to download an app, the message purportedly from the FBI warning his phone was locked was locked down and he must pay $500. Police confiscated the phone because the image(s) in question are questionable, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said there’s no reason to think the FBI would do such a thing, the attempt is a scam. He advises folks to be cautious when downloading apps, and be sure to read the fine print.

DRUGS

• A 26-year-old Centralia man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine on Saturday evening near Mellen and Marsh streets in Centralia. Brian M. Williams reportedly ran from officers who recognized him about 7 p.m., according to the Centralia Police Department. He was wanted on a warrant from the state Department of Corrections and was taken into custody after a brief struggle, according to police. Williams was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police took a report about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday regarding someone prowling through unlocked vehicles at the 900 block of North Washington Avenue. Nothing seemed to be missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called on Saturday to the 1600 block of Southeast Aust Manor Drive where someone had gotten inside an unlocked vehicle during the night and stole a purse and its contents.

MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

• Centralia police took a report yesterday afternoon from the 100 block of Jackson Street in Centralia that an unknown person had removed the screws holding the lights to a vehicle.

UNDERAGE DRINKING

• A 21-year-old Chehalis resident faces a possible charge of furnishing liquor to minors, after deputies learned two minors involved in a single-vehicle accident early on Sunday morning had just left a party on the 1600 block of Bishop Road in Chehalis where they had been drinking. Deputies had responded to the area earlier regarding parking issues and were assured by the 21-year-old host he was checking guest’s identification to make sure no one was underage, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, reckless driving, underage drinking, misdemeanor assault, resisting arrest, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, misdemeanor theft, protection order violation, suspicious circumstances, noisy neighbor party, report of sex crime in the past, vehicle versus deer, collision on city street, SUV driving on someone’s lawn, passenger mooning motorists on Chamber of Commerce Way … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Saturday, October 18th, 2014

NOT SHOT

• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested yesterday for disorderly conduct after reportedly walking in and out of traffic, yelling and throwing things at passing vehicles. Police say Jacob S. Drury then walked into a house and announced he’d been shot, which he hadn’t been. It happened in the area of the 200 block of Latona Street about 4:40 p.m. Drury was back out in the street when officers arrived, according to the Centralia Police Department. Sgt. Kurt Reichert said it appeared he may have been under the influence of something. Drury was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police responded to a report about 6:10 a.m. today of a car prowl on the 1100 block of J Street. Tools were taken, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, malicious mischief, misdemeanor theft … and more.

Second suspicious Centralia fire consumes garage

Saturday, October 18th, 2014
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Fire erupts in the backyard of a West Walnut Street house. / Courtesy photo by Crystal Bowman

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Flames ravaged a detached garage behind a home last night, the second such incident in Centralia in less than a week.

Both fires are being investigated as arsons.

Centralia police arrived first after the approximately 8 p.m. call to the 1000 block of West Walnut Street, offering helpful early information, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

“We showed up, it was a fairly good-sized garage,” Firefighter-paramedic Jade Gross said. “We attacked it from the alleyway.”

Gross said the owner was alerted by older neighborhood children who spotted the fire and pounded on her door so she could call 911.

The crew was joined by firefighters from Chehalis and were on the scene until about midnight, Gross said.

Inside the structure and ruined were a small pickup truck, a motorcycle and a large amount of other personal property, he said.

“It was a complete loss,” Gross said.

Also burned was a travel trailer, some of a neighbor’s fence and outdoor children’s toys, he said.

A fire investigator was expecting to examine the scene today. Centralia police indicate there was no good explanation for the fire, and it is currently classified as an arson.

The garage’s doorless entry opened to the alley, according to Gross.

Early last Sunday morning, a large shed was destroyed by fire on the 1100 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia; it was in a backyard adjacent to the railroad tracks. The rear of the house in that 2:30 a.m. blaze sustained minor damage.

Nobody was hurt in either incident.

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Looking toward what remains inside the destroyed garage from next door neighbor’s backyard. / Courtesy photo by Aaron Cogburn

News brief: Child porn charge dismissed for former Salkum resident

Friday, October 17th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A former Salkum man arrested last month for allegedly possessing child porn was released from the jail yesterday, his charges dropped.

Joshua Q. Keele, 38, was arrested in early September near his home in Port Hadlock following a local investigation that began in April, with a tip from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office detective collected computers and electronic devices and discovered at least one image that led to a charge of first-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said the charge was dismissed yesterday, because there are reports from other agencies he has not yet received.

However, it was dismissed with prejudice, meaning he may file the charge again later, he said.

“We talked with the sheriff’s office and the FBI and we all agreed this was the best thing to do,” Meyer said.

Meyer said he expects later next week to get together with others to decide their next steps and when he would refile the charges.
•••

For background, read “FBI child porn investigation leads to Lewis County” from Friday Sept. 5, 2014, here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, October 17th, 2014

STOLEN SERVICES FROM ER

• A 36-year-old man was booked into the Lewis County Jail yesterday for first-degree theft and other alleged offenses following an investigation into almost $25,000 worth of unpaid bills from two emergency room visits this summer at Providence Centralia Hospital. Police say Jason P. Parmele of Tacoma used either someone else’s name or a false name when he got care on June 12 and June 28. He was suffering from abdominal pain and other ailments, according to the Centralia Police Department. Officer Patty Finch said Parmele was also booked for forgery, criminal impersonation and unlawful procurement of prescription drugs for narcotics he was given while at the hospital. Finch said one visit cost $13,945 and the other was $10,961.

STOLEN GIFT CARDS FROM BUSINESS

• A 19-year-old K-Mart employee was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing about $330 in gift card money from her employer, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Angel R. Nelson, of Chehalis, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree theft, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police took a report of a stolen car yesterday morning from the 1100 block of Brotherson Road. A Honda Accord. The black 1991 four-door vehicle disappeared sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to the Centralia Police Department. It has a license plate reading AFX 2027, according to police.

• A 28-year-old Rochester man was arrested last night for possession of stolen property following an incident in which he was stopped by an officer near the 400 block of West Pear Street, but he jumped out and ran away. Centralia police say Matthew L. Emery was quickly apprehended and they discovered the vehicle he was driving had been stolen in Lacey the day before. Emery was booked into the Lewis County Jail following the 9:20 p.m. incident, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Police were called about 6:40 a.m. today regarding an overnight vehicle prowl at the 1400 block of Crescent Avenue.

LOST HUNTER FOUND

• Firefighters were called to aid a hunter who had been lost in the woods on Weyerhaeuser forest land west of Centralia last night. Deputies had gotten a call from an individual about 8 p.m. who said he got separated from his partner on the 620 Weyerhaeuser Line, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. They tried to use cell phone GPS information and also yelled out for the man and just before 11 p.m., he responded, detective Sgt. Dusty Breen said. The missing man was about 300 yards off the roadway over a ravine in the area of Wildcat Drive, Breen said. Deputies brought him out and he was checked for dehydration, exhaustion and exposure, according to responders. Riverside Fire Authority Firefighter Rick LeBoeuf said the patient declined to got the hospital. He said he was fine, LeBoeuf said.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, violation of protection order, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, misdemeanor theft, suspicious person, noisy neighbors; complaint of  tailgating driver, customer cussing at workers … and more.