Archive for September, 2016

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, September 27th, 2016
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FIREARMS MISSING FROM RESIDENCE

• Someone broke into an Onalaska home yesterday, stealing a 25 caliber pistol, a 30-30 lever action rifle, two laptop computers and a tablet, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arriving just after 6 p.m. to the 3700 block of Centralia-Alpha Road canvassed the area and found some of the victim’s belongings down the road, as though discarded by an intruder, according to the sherif’s office. Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said the break-in occurred between 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and they got in through the back door.

AUTO THEFT

• Police were called just before 1 p.m. yesterday to take a report of a maroon 1988 Toyota Camry stolen from the 300 block of Yew Street in Centralia. The four-door car went missing sometime during the previous two days, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called about 9:45 a.m. yesterday for a fraud case associated with the 900 block of South Scheuber Road. The victim’s credit card was used to make purchases over the Internet and have items shipped to an address where another suspect took possession of them, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BROKEN GLASS

• A 26-year-old Chehalis man allegedly running into stores, yelling and asking for money at the 500 block of North Market Boulevard ended up injuring himself and getting arrested for a felony yesterday afternoon in Chehalis. Officers caught up with Drake A. Lorber at the 400 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue and discovered he had an outstanding municipal warrant, according to the Chehalis Police Department. As Lorber was being placed into a patrol vehicle, he used his forehead to break out the window, according to police. While they waited for aid to arrive, Lorber allegedly spit blood onto an officer, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. He was  booked into the Lewis County Jail for the warrant, for malicious mischief and third-degree assault, Bailey said.

• Centralia police reported this morning a summons will be issued to a 43–year-old Chehalis man who allegedly punched an acquaintance’s windshield, shattering it. The incident at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue was reported just after 11 a.m. yesterday, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BROKEN DOORS

• Centralia police were called just before 1 p.m. yesterday to the 1000 block of Eckerson Road where an individual was seen kicking in doors at a motel, causing extensive damage. The person fled, reportedly crossing a river and taking a seat in a gazebo at Riverside Rotary Park, according to the Centralia Police Department. Anthony E. Brennan, 34, of Tumwater, was located in the gazebo, arrested for second-degree malicious mischief and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrant, probation violation, possession of marijuana, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, third-degree theft, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 146 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Senior citizen inadvertently discharges firearm inside Chehalis store

Tuesday, September 27th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A customer at the checkout counter of a Chehalis pet supply store accidentally fired his 38 revolver, injuring himself yesterday.

Police called at 12:42 p.m. yesterday to the Twin City Town Center found the victim and his wife had already headed to the hospital, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

The 79-year-old Onalaska resident shot himself in the foot, according to police.

He and his wife were at the counter at Petsense when he placed his hands in his pockets, and then witnesses heard a loud bang, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. The man, who was not named, then stated he shot himself, Bailey said.

An officer made contact with him, and he confirmed what happened, according to Bailey.

The victim was treated at Providence Centralia Hospital for the non-life threatening injury and has been released, according to Bailey.

Bailey said nobody else was injured. She didn’t know how many people were inside the business at the time.

The strip mall is just west of Interstate 5 on the 1400 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

The case will be forwarded to Chehalis Municipal Court prosecutors for a review of possible charges, according to police.

Three years ago, after a 40-year-old man holstering his firearm in the parking lot at Sunbird Shopping Center accidentally fired a round through his hand and into his wife’s thigh, he was charged with reckless endangerment.

Former association treasurer charged with 10 felony counts for alleged dipping into account

Monday, September 26th, 2016
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April K. Kelley prepares to leave the courtroom after being charged with theft and forgery today in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Prosecutors asked for $100,000 bail today for the now-former Lewis County social services manager, suggesting the theft charges against her are so serious she might not return to court.

Thirty-five-year-old April K. Kelley posted $20,000 bail over the weekend, was released from jail and then came to Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon.

The Centralia woman is accused of spending money that belonged to an association where she served as treasurer, going all the way back to 2011. The alleged amounts are in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“The more we look, the more we find,” Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said.

Kelley worked at the Lewis County Department of Public Health & Social Services, and in that capacity, served as treasurer for the Association of County Human Services. ACHS is a non-profit group with members who provide or administer public programs related to chemical dependency, mental health and developmental disabilities.

Authorities allege Kelley admitted to withdrawing money from ACHS account in person at the bank for herself, writing checks to herself and transferring money into her account directly. At least one time, she made her mortgage payment directly from the association’s account, according to Meyer.

Kelley was charged today with four counts of first-degree theft, each with an additional factor of being major economic offense and six counts of forgery.

Meyer said each of the first four counts represent a 12-month period, and numerous transactions. The most recent forgery is listed as July 5 of this year, according to court documents.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office this morning said a new treasurer last year reviewed the books and found $60,000 to $70,000 missing.

The records are now being reviewed by a forensic accountant to determine the exact extent of illegal activity, according to Meyer.

When Kelley went before Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler, temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke argued for lower bail, indicating Kelley wouldn’t be a flight risk.

“She’s married to a probation officer, they have two children, she’s lived in Lewis County her entire life,” O’Rourke said.

Kelley plans to hire Centralia defense attorney Shane O’Rourke.

Judge Lawler left her bail at the $20,000 already posted, noting that was because in part she showed up for court on her own.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 6.

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For background, read “Thousands of dollars removed from governmental association account, Centralia woman arrested” from Monday September 26, 2016 at 8:51 a.m., here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, September 26th, 2016
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Updated

WOMAN ATTACKED IN GARAGE

• Deputies were called about 4:40 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Gershick Road in Silver Creek where a woman said she walked into her shop building and was struck in the face by a white male with an unkempt beard. She fell to the ground, but said she saw the subject – about 5-feet 10-inches tall – and another male exit the building, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The 45-year-old woman was dizzy and had a bruise and was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital to be evaluated, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said a police dog searched the area but nobody was located. They think she might have interrupted a burglary, according to Breen.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called about 6:50 a.m. today following the discovery of a burglary at a home being remodeled at the 1200 block of Bayne Street. Tools were stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

INTERRUPTED BURGLARY

• Deputies were called about 4 o’clock yesterday morning to the 1600 block of Windsor Avenue in Centralia where a resident interrupted a prowler in his car port. The intruder fled and nothing was missing, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

CAR PROWL

• Police were called about 4 p.m. yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. A stereo was taken, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police were called just after 1 p.m. on Saturday to take a report that someone removed and stole a car’s battery, around the corner from a location on the 200 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue.

DRUGS

• Chehalis police called just after 1:20 a.m. on Saturday to the 500 block of Southwest Parkland Drive about a male looking in the windows of vehicles in the parking lot discovered Jesse J. Wheeler, 35, of Chehalis, had an outstanding warrant and subsequently located residue of suspected heroin, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Wheeler was booked into the Lewis County Jail for a drug violation, according to police.

• An officer who made contact with a vehicle about a dispute at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis at about 3 a.m. on Saturday discovered one occupant had an outstanding warrant and subsequently located suspected heroin, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Robert R. Green, 29, from Napavine, was booked into the Lewis County Jail  for a drug violation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

BREAKING CARS

• A 27-year-old Centralia man detained for an assault investigation about 5:45 p.m. yesterday at the 500 block of North Tower Avenue was arrested after he allegedly kicked out the rear window of a Centralia patrol car. Wellington M. Waggener was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree malicious mischief, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report about 11:30 a.m. yesterday from the 900 block of West First Street where someone vandalized a vehicle, causing severe damage to windows and a door, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police took a report just after 1 p.m. on Saturday of someone breaking out the driver’s side window of a Ford Explorer parked at the 100 block of Southeast Adams Avenue in Chehalis.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for misdemeanor domestic assault, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, suspicious circumstances, a pair of individuals wearing clown masks and dark clothing walking between houses near Southwest 20th Street in Chehalis after dark … and more among 149 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

More to come

Thousands of dollars removed from governmental association account, Centralia woman arrested

Monday, September 26th, 2016

Updated at 12:09 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 35-year-old Centralia woman has been arrested following an investigation into as much as $70,000 discovered missing from the account of an association she worked for while employed at the Lewis County Health Department.

April K. Kelley was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree theft on Friday and is tentatively scheduled to go before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said that Kelley was the treasurer for the Association of County Human Services between 2010 and 2014 while she worked at the county health department.

A new treasurer last year reviewed the books and found $60,000 to $70,000 missing, according to Breen.

The association takes in about $90,000 each year in dues from members, comprised of representatives from each of Washington’s 39 counties, according to Breen.

ACHS is a non-profit group with members who provide or administer programs related to chemical dependency, mental health and developmental disabilities. It is an affiliate of the Washington State Association of Counties, according to information on its web site.

Breen said this morning Kelley admitted to removing money from the account, saying she didn’t keep track but estimated around $90,000. She replaced $50,000 of it in 2011 with money borrowed from a family member, he said.

He said the amount stolen is currently estimated as between $40,000 to $70,000.

Kelley was hired at the Lewis County Department of Public Health & Social Services in July 2007. She is no longer employed there, as of this past Friday, according to Director Danette York.

She was the social services manager, with responsibilities for programs for housing, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and senior services.

It appears she may have bailed out of jail yesterday, from information on the Lewis County Jail’s online roster.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Sunday, September 25th, 2016
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AUTO THEFT

• A 29-year-old Centralia man was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with a case associated with a location at North Tower Avenue and Susan Street on Friday night, according to the Centralia Police Department. David J. Eslick was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Someone broke into a vehicle parked on the 500 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia and stole a Galaxy Note tablet computer, according to a report made to police just after 3 p.m. on Friday.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called to the 100 block of South Tower Avenue about 10:40 p.m. yesterday where tires had been slashed on a parked vehicle.

AIRPLANE DOESN’T CRASH

• Chehalis firefighters stood by at the airport after being notified a small plane was going to make an emergency landing on Friday. Chehalis Fire Department Capt. Casey Beck said he got a phone call from Seattle air traffic control, asking for their assistance. “They said, ‘hey, we’ve got a plane having difficulty with their alternator, they think it will be fine, but they’re going to land in Chehalis’,” Beck said. He notified dispatch at about 11:30 a.m. the crew was heading to the Chehalis-Centralia Airport, he said. “Probably about 15 minutes later, it came down and landed without problems,” he said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, protection order violation, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 280 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 48-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Lewis County ends summertime outdoor burning restrictions

Saturday, September 24th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Board of Commissioners announced yesterday they would end their restrictions on outdoor burning as of 12:01 a.m. today.

A prohibition on outdoor burning was put in place in unincorporated areas of Lewis County on Aug. 2 when weather conditions created substantial fire danger. Even recreational campfires were prohibited for a period but were allowed again beginning Labor Day weekend.

Now, the board and the county fire marshal say conditions have improved.

Outdoor burning is restricted to natural vegetation from the burn site and is subject to an open burning application and permit.

Burning garbage, paper or other refuse is never allowable.

To obtain an Open Burning Application and Permit, apply on-line at http://lewiscountywa.gov/communitydevelopment/burn-permit-2 or in person at the Lewis County Fire Marshal’s office.

For further information, contact Doyle Sanford, Building Official/Fire Marshal, at 360-740-1146.  The fire marshal’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building, located at 2025 NE Kresky Avenue, Chehalis.