Archive for November, 2015

News brief: Early heads up on flooding potential

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Heavy rain in the mountains tomorrow afternoon through Saturday morning could cause flooding this weekend, according to an outlook issued yesterday by the National Weather Service.

The forecast is two to three days ahead and on Monday it appeared the bulk of the precipitation could fall on British Columbia, but on Tuesday the models aimed the heaviest rain at Western Washington, although newer models could send the storm in another direction, according to the NWS.

Rainfall this heavy – eight to 10 inches over the Cascade Mountains – would cause flooding on many area rivers. Of note in Lewis County are the Cowlitz River, the Chehalis River and their tributaries.

•••

The link for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle can be found here and also always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “Weather Alerts, forecasts”

The link for the National Weather Service’s river level observation and forecast for Western Washington can be found here and also always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “River levels”

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

TRACTOR JOYRIDE

• A deputy was called last night to a job site on the 1500 block of Centralia-Alpha Road where sometime over the weekend, someone got into a John Deere grader and drove it around, leaving it stuck in the mud. All the cab windows were broken out, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The owner, a 39-year-old man from Glenoma, estimated the loss at $2,000, according to the sheriff’s office.

BREAK-INS AND THEFT CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called about a residential burglary yesterday afternoon at the 1900 block of Honeysuckle Lane. An officer responding to the approximately 4:35 p.m. call noted an Xbox gaming console was among the missing property, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 4:40 p.m. yesterday to the 1300 block of Alexander Street to take a report of a misdemeanor amount of cash believed to have been stolen from a room.

• An officer was called about 1:20 p.m. yesterday to a home at the 1100 block of Borthwick Avenue in Centralia where a misdemeanor amount of cash was reported missing. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PASSING COUNTERFEIT MONEY

• A deputy was called last night to the Randle One-Stop where the clerk said a middle-aged woman driving a dark blue Chevrolet Suburban attempted to spend a counterfeit $20 bill. It happened about 7:16 p.m. and a deputy dispatched at about 8:30 p.m. tried to locate the vehicle but was unsuccessful, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The clerk said she immediately recognized the bill was not real, according to the sheriff’s office. The investigation is ongoing, as there is security footage available, Chief Deputy Stacy brown said.

DRIVER IMPLICATES FRIEND

• Centralia police say a traffic stop for an expired vehicle license tab yesterday led to a displayed temporary permit that appeared to be forged and an assertion by the driver he had obtained it “off the books” from a friend that works at a local licensing office. Otto K. Banick, 41, was pulled over about 9:25 a.m. at the 500 block of West Main Street in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was issued citations for the trip permit violation as well as driving with a suspended license and failure to transfer his vehicle within the proper amount of time, according to police.

POSSIBLE CHILD ASSAULT

• Chehalis police were called about 2:20 p.m. yesterday regarding the possible assault of a child.

TRESPASSING

• Centralia police were called about 11 a.m. yesterday to a vacant apartment on the 100 block of South Silver Street in Centralia where a window was discovered broken and a maintenance person suspected someone snuck in to sleep during the night, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police yesterday morning took a report of vandalism to a building at the 2000 block of Haviland Street.

NOTE THREATENING TO SHOOT UP SCHOOL

• Centralia High School’s principal informed parents last night of a note found written on a desk late in the afternoon threatening, “Ima shoot up the school 11/10.” Unlike a somewhat similar find on Oct. 2 that prompted an hours long search of students and the campus – and cancellation of a homecoming assembly – yesterday’s incident meant all student and persons entering the school today would be searched. Principal Josue Lowe wrote in a memo to families that a locker check was conducted yesterday with nothing found and while zero period would be cancelled today, classes one through six would proceed. Lowe wrote that the school district in conjunction with law enforcement agencies would do everything within their power to find who made the threat and prosecute accordingly. Lowe can be followed on Twitter @CentHSPrincipal. It doesn’t appear he has tweeted about this latest incident.

ON THE ROAD

• A 26-year-old Packwood resident was injured after she fell asleep driving on U.S. Highway 12, crossed over the oncoming lane and traveled about 300 feet along the ditch before striking a power pole and cyclone fence, according to the Washington State Patrol. Amanda M. Fritcher was transported to Morton General Hospital after the approximately 4:45 a.m. wreck on Sunday, according to the state patrol. Her Subaru Impreza was totaled. It happened about 12 miles east of Morton. Fritcher was issued a citation for second-degree negligent driving, according to the investigating trooper.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license, driving without a license, driving without ignition interlock device; responses for taggings, littering, misdemeanor theft, collision on city street, dogs running loose, possible animal neglect, request for an officer that transients be “moved along”, suspicious phone call from Publishers Clearinghouse … and more.

News brief: Police urge caution regarding door-to-door sales

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police want residents to be wary of door-to-door salespeople, revealing that in the past, some of them contacted by local police had extensive criminal histories and used the job as a ruse to collect personal information for fraudulent purposes later.

Police Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald indicated the department isn’t attempting to disparage or discourage legal operations, but given the coming holiday season, felt an advisory was in the community’s best interest.

“When dealing with these individuals trust your instincts,” Fitzgerald said. “If that little voice in your head is telling you that something does not seem right, it probably isn’t.

“Report anything you perceive as suspicious at anytime.”

Many of the door-to-door sales companies are from out of state, and do not have a local business license anyhow, according to the Centralia Police Department.

Fitzgerald warns the public to be cautious and says do not allow these individuals inside your home.

Do not give them personal or debit or credit card information and if necessary, call law enforcement and report any misconduct by these individuals, Fitzgerald said.

He offers up a reminder of who to call: Central Dispatch at 360-740 1105  or for emergencies, dial 911.

News brief: Chehalis garage catches fire

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Nobody was hurt but a detached two-car garage was ruined when a fire broke out there late yesterday afternoon in Chehalis.

Firefighters were called about 5:15 p.m. to the 300 block of Southwest Fifth Street, and joined by personnel from Lewis County Fire District 6 and Riverside Fire Authority, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

“It was well-involved when we got there,” Fire Capt. Rob Gebhart said.

They knocked the flames down in about 10 minutes and kept the home from catching fire, Gebhart said. Crews were on scene “overhauling” and making sure it was all extinguished until about 7 p.m., he said.

Gebhart said there was no obvious cause for the blaze, so an investigator planned to return today.

The resident had a table inside, undergoing some type of woodworking project and lost items like a bicycle, a small motorcycle and tools, according to Gebhart.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, November 9th, 2015
2015.0518.2013.1113.sirenslights5860.secondone

•••

Updated at 7:44 p.m.

DOGNAPPING IN PLAIN DAYLIGHT

• Deputies were called about 1:35 p.m. yesterday after an Onalaska man saw two people in a white Ford Ranger pull up to his home, grab his long-haired Chihuahua and then drive away with it. The 14-year-old reddish dog was wearing an Identification tag on its collar and weighs about nine pounds, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It happened at the 1000 block of Middle Fork Road, according to the sheriff’s office. The value was estimated at $200, according to the sheriff’s office.

SHARING NAKED PICS OF GIRLFRIEND NOT OK

• Brandon L. Jones, 20, was arrested by Chehalis police for allegedly posting a photo of his unclothed 17-year-old girlfriend on Facebook, according to the Chehalis Police Department. An officer took a report early last week and then located Jones on Friday, according to police. The Centralia resident was booked into the Lewis County Jail for distribution of child pornography, detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said. “Anger, was my understanding,” Wilson said as to the motivation for the alleged incident. Jones was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with three counts of second-degree possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, a class C felony. According to court documents, the teen told an officer she sent Jones photos of her breasts a few months ago, and after they got into an argument, Jones threatened to “expose” her. Jones allegedly told the officer he woke up the following day and could hardly believe what he had done, and told the officer he would likely find a lot more stuff that made that look like nothing. The investigation is ongoing and more information may be revealed from the service of a search warrant upon Facebook, prosecutors wrote in charging documents. A judge agreed to Jones’ release from jail on a $20,000 unsecured bond.

STOLEN FIREARM

• Chehalis police were called about 1:10 p.m. on Saturday by an individual who said their rifle disappeared from their residence on the 100 block of Southwest Chehalis Avenue sometime during the previous week.

RESIDENTIAL THEFT

• Chehalis police were called just before 10 a.m. on Saturday by a person who had been staying at the 1800 block of Snively Avenue and discovered that while incarcerated, someone took all their belongings including medications.

• A 76-year-old woman returned to her home on the 100 block of Summit Drive in Packwood on Friday after being away since Oct. 18 to find someone broke in, forcing their way through a door and a window. It’s not yet know what may be missing, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

ATTEMPTED THEFT

• A deputy took a report yesterday morning of someone using bolt cutters to break a hasp at a storage unit on the 1500 block of Bishop Road in Chehalis. A manager recalled seeing a small brown pickup truck back up to the unit at about 2 p.m. on Thursday and then suddenly drive away after he stepped outside for a closer look, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Nothing was missing, according to the sheriff’s office.

SHORT TERM THEFT

• Centralia police took a report yesterday morning regarding the theft of a large basketball hoop from the 1300 block of Delaware Avenue, but it was found a few blocks away and returned, according to the Centralia Police Department.

SHOPLIFTING SCUFFLE

• A 22-year-old Curtis resident who reportedly was chased out of Wal-Mart‘s grocery entrance by store security and employees for allegedly shoplifting ran past an off-duty Centralia police officer in the parking lot who stopped her and reported she became out of control so she was forced to the ground on Saturday. The Centralia Police Department reports citizens in the parking lot surrounded police and demanded they release the woman, with some chanting “officer brutality.” Cassandra L. McBride was arrested for third-degree theft – related to $203 worth of merchandise, resisting arrest and possession of methamphetamine as one large and then small small pieces of a crystal substance were found on her, according to the Chehalis Police Department. McBride was booked into the Lewis County Jail. McBride was charged with meth possession and theft only today in Lewis County Superior Court and her bail set at $5,000.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday about a vehicle prowl at the 600 block of East Summa Street. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police were called to the 1300 block of Lum Road in Centralia just after noon on Saturday where someone had broke out the window of a parked vehicle and taken a purse, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Someone broke out the right rear window of a vehicle parked at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia and stole a blue and gray bag containing clothing, according to a report made to police about 9 a.m. on Saturday.

• Centralia police were called about 8:25 a.m. on Saturday from an individual at the 1300 block of Lum Road who said he heard his car alarm go off, saw a red Chrysler 200 pull up to it and then found his car’s window shattered.

• Chehalis police were called about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday to the 1400 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue where someone had smashed a window of a vehicle and stole a backpack containing $30 cash, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PHONE FRAUD

• Officers took a report from the 900 block of Marion Street on Friday that an individual who received a phone call from somebody identifying themselves as a Microsoft employee and requested payment for anti-hacking services. The victim ended up sending a money gram to India, for an unspecified amount, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police say Microsoft never does business that way and there is no such thing as anti-hacking services.

VANDALISM

• Someone shot out five windows of a small bus-type van parked at the 1000 block of Middle Fork Road in Onalaska sometime during the week prior to Sunday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• Two boys and a girl were caught by an off-duty police officer painting graffiti onto a building at the 800 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia at about 7:45 p.m. on Friday. The male juveniles were arrested and booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center for second-degree malicious mischief and the juvenile female was released to her parents, according to the Centralia Police Department. The case is under investigation as several other locations were identified as having been victimized, according to police.

• Chehalis police responded to a 6:40 a.m. call on Saturday to Northeast Washington Avenue near Market Boulevard where someone had thrown a brick through the back window of a car.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:15 p.m. on Saturday following the discovery windows were broken out of a home on Southeast Sixth Street in Chehalis. Nothing was initially reported missing, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ON THE ROAD

• Matthew D. Ball, 37, of Toledo, was arrested for driving under the influence following a single-vehicle collision at about 8:25 p.m. yesterday at the 200 block of Brim Road in Ethel, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstructing, shoplifting, violation of no-contact order, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, hit and run, misdemeanor assault, collision on city street, to lecture a 6-year-old boy for taking mail out of someone else’s mailbox … and more.

Centralia Police: Boyfriend threatens to slash, then eat woman

Monday, November 9th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police are looking for a man who allegedly pulled a knife on his girlfriend, threatening to cut her up and eat her.

Officers called about 12:40 a.m. today to the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia learned the victim was able to get away and call 911.

According to police, there was a protection oder in place between the two but they had disregarded the court order.

“During an argument the male took out a knife and threatened to slash the victim with the knife and eat her,” Centralia Police Department Sgt. David Ross wrote in a summary of the incident.

Officers were not able to locate the suspect, according to Ross.

The case is being sent to prosecutors for consideration of a charge of first-degree assault against 36-year-old Michael R. Kennedy Jr., according to police.

News brief: Two jailed following failure to pay prostitute in Centralia

Sunday, November 8th, 2015

Updated

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police ended up arresting two people after a complaint by an “escort” against a 40-year-old Centralia man yesterday.

The woman called 911 about 10:25 a.m. in the morning to report she’d been raped, according to the Centralia Police Department.

According to police, she told a dispatcher the customer refused to pay her after they had sex, and in her mind, that was rape.

Centralia police say the man however, secretly recorded their conversation, which confirmed once he refused to pay her, she told him she was going to call the police and report that he forcibly raped her.

The “date” associated with a location on the 2100 block of North Tower Avenue, came out of a advertisement on Backpage.com, that got her to agree to his proposal to pay her for sex if she came to his home, according to police.

Both parties were booked into the Lewis County Jail. The Centralia man for patronizing a prostitute and the 31-year-old woman for malicious prosecution, according to police.

Officers will ask prosecutors to also consider a prostitution charge for the woman, according to police.