Archive for December, 2016

Centralia: Theft of wallet leads to robbery charge

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
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Miguel V. Martinez, in red, confers with temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 20-year-old Centralia resident was ordered held on $250,000 bail for a nighttime incident a week ago in which he allegedly took off with an acquaintance’s wallet containing $300.

The victim told police that just about the time he apprehended the 20-year-old in the parking lot of a bank, a white male who got out of a green Dodge Durango pepper sprayed him in the face and hit him at least once with a handgun.

Miguel V. Martinez, 20, was charged yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree robbery and then also possession of meth and heroin based on what police turned up when he was arrested on Saturday at the Motel 6 in Centralia.

According to the victim, it all began when Martinez called him wanting a ride to Rochester and the two met up at the parking lot of Safeway on Harrison Avenue in Centralia about 11 p.m. on Nov. 28.

The victim told police they sat in the parking lot  talking for some period of time. Charging documents go on to give the victim’s account of events:

At some point, he went inside Safeway to get a drink and when he returned to his car, he set his wallet on the center console. At some point, Martinez allegedly grabbed the wallet, got out of the car and ran off.

The victim, Ryan Olson, grabbed some pepper spray, chased Martinez and tried unsuccessfully to spray him. Olson said he caught Martinez in the Columbia Bank parking lot and they were about to start walking back to the car when a Dodge Durango pulled up.

A white male gets out, approaches them and lifts the front of his shirt exposing what looks to be the handle of a handgun, and says, “Let him go, I have a gun.”

Olson refuses because Martinez still has his wallet and a struggle ensues between the three men.

The victim, Olson, said the unidentified white male hits him with the gun, takes his pepper spray and sprays him.

Martinez and the white male leave in the Durango, which is being driven by a female.

Centralia police responding to the approximately 2:15 a.m. call to Safeway’s gas station on Belmont Avenue find the victim in extreme discomfort and end up interviewing him at the hospital where he was transported for treatment.

Charging documents filed yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court indicate detectives are in the process of identifying the male and female who were involved.

When Martinez was brought before a jude yesterday afternoon, temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke attempted to get a lower amount for his bail.

“I’m very familiar with Mr. Martinez and his family who are in court today,” O’Rourke told the judge. “His family assures me they will keep him home and make sure he gets to court.”

Judge James Lawler went with Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Joel DeFazio’s recommendation of $250,000 bail instead.

Martinez’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
•••

For background, read “Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup – ARREST MADE IN PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK” from Monday December 5, 2016, here

News brief: One month house arrest for unauthorized pot growing

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A case in which a 33-year-old man confessed to police he was growing marijuana for a Seattle dispensary inside a Centralia building owned by his mother ended today with a 30-day sentence.

Anh Tuan Hoang Nguyen struck a deal with prosecutors in which they dropped a charge of manufacture of marijuana and he pleaded guilty instead to felony possession of marijuana. The agreement included dismissing the charge against his mother.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said the only difference between the penalties for the two offenses was the opportunity to serve the time on electronic home monitoring.

Charging documents in the case indicate the investigation by detectives with the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team began on April 20, following up on tips from citizens about the  building described only as on Tower Avenue in Centralia – with recently darkened windows.

More than 100 plants were found inside, according to Masiello.

Seattle attorney Andrew Nguyen told the judge his client had been cooperative. Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt agreed with the recommendations.

The defendant, who lives in Auburn, was ordered to begin electronic home monitoring by no later than Jan. 3.
•••

For background, read “Pot in Centralia: A growing underground industry” from Friday July 29, 2016, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016
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•••

Updated

BEVERAGES PICKED FROM PORCH

• Police were called just before 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon to the 700 block of West First Street in Centralia where they were told someone stole a case of Monster energy drinks from the front porch.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 6:20 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of South Silver Street for a car prowl in which a GPS device and charger cords were stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

OUT OF CONTROL INMATE

• A 17-year-old student-inmate at Green Hill School was contacted by police last night after allegedly spitting on a staff member. An officer called just before 11 p.m. to the state juvenile detention facility on the 300 block of Southwest 11th Street took a report about the alleged custodial assault, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND FROM MORTON

• Officers received a call regarding a raccoon problem in the city limits last week. The individual was wondering if it was legal to shoot them if needed with a firearm and was advised that it is not legal to shoot a firearm in the city limits of Morton, according to the Morton Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license, third-degree malicious mischief; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, harassment, civil issue, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, county road and state highway… and more among 121 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Police Pursuit: Speeding driver speeds up to 118 mph

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A nearly 50-mile police chase down Interstate 5 ended near Vader this morning; the driver had failed to stop for speeding, according to the Washington State Patrol.

It began about 3:40 a.m. when a trooper tried to pull a vehicle over near milepost 109 in Olympia for going too fast, according to the state patrol.

They didn’t want to stop and a pursuit reaching speeds of 118 mph ensued, Trooper Todd Bartolac said.

Numerous law enforcement officers got involved because when they ran the license plate, they found the suspected driver had quite a bit of history, threatening police, Bartolac said.

Law enforcement used spike strips and flattened one of the tires, he said.

Finally, a PIT maneuver was performed near milepost 60 and the driver was taken into custody, without further incident, Bartolac said. The driver was to be booked into the Thurston County Jail.

News brief: Thurston deputies begin carrying life-saving overdose medicine

Monday, December 5th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Deputies in Thurston County are now carrying a medication in their patrol cars that can help save lives when minutes count.

Beginning today, the opioid overdose medication Naloxone is an extra tool available to deputies, in the event that they arrive on the scene of an overdose before the medics.

“This problem appears to be getting worse and more widespread,” Thurston County Undersheriff Timothy Braniff stated in a news release. “We need to be prepared to help anyone who we come in contact with who may have succumbed to this addiction.”

Naloxone is a nasal spray designed to reverse the depressive effects of opioids on the respiratory system and may counteract the effects of a heroin or other opioid overdose, according to the sheriff’s office. Opioids include heroin and many other powerful prescription pain killers.

Thurston County Public Health and the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office worked collaboratively to equip patrol deputies with the prescription medicine.

At any given time, there are at least a half dozen patrol deputies on the job around the county, according to Sgt. Kenneth Clark.

“We’ve had cases when a deputy is two blocks away, and it’s five to six minutes for the fire department to arrive,” Clark said. “That could mean the difference between life and death.”

Previously, deputies could start CPR, but now they have this additional way to help, until medics get there and take over, he said.

They are the first law enforcement agency in Thurston County to carry the drug, according to Clark.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office encourages people to call 911 if a friend or loved one may be experiencing an overdose. The symptoms of an opioid overdose can include unresponsiveness, absence of breathing or no pulse, and bluish lips or finger nail beds, according to the sheriff’s office. When suffering from an opioid overdose minutes count if the person’s life is going to be saved, they state.

The sheriff’s office reminds the public that recent changes in the law have provided protection against prosecution for possession of a controlled substance when a person seeks medical assistance for a person who is experiencing a drug-related overdose. The law also provides similar protections from prosecution for the person who may have suffered an overdose, according to the sheriff’s office.

“There’s a lot of people who recognize we have the problem, and this is a way of potentially helping,” Clark said.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, December 5th, 2016
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•••

Updated at 1:46 p.m.

SLOW-MO PURSUIT ENDS AT LAKE

• A 29-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stole a vehicle in Morton, refused to stop for law enforcement that was following him and finally let the vehicle head down a grassy slope nearly into Mayfield Lake on Saturday. Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said Shane M. Kaz bailed out, but then jumped into the lake. A deputy was notified just after 10 a.m. of the theft from a man in Morton and the suspect was headed west on U.S. Highway 12, according to Breen. The vehicle was traveling 25 to 30 mph and periodically driving in oncoming lanes, Breen said. He was followed up Winston Creek Road and eventually stopped along Village Road in Mossyrock, Breen said. Kaz, from Vancouver, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and eluding, according to the sheriff’s office.

TAVERN TROUBLES

• Centralia police responded to an approximately 12:40 a.m. call today for a physical dispute involving a half dozen people at a drinking establishment on the 100 block of South Tower Avenue. Nobody was arrested but the instigator was told to leave and not come back, according to the Centralia Police Department. A disorderly person had been removed from a drinking establishment in the same block two hours earlier, according to police.

ARREST MADE IN PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK

• A 20-year-old Centralia resident was arrested about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for first-degree robbery in connection with an incident reported about 2 a.m. last Tuesday in which a male victim said he had been assaulted with pepper spray at the 1000 block of Belmont Avenue. Miguel V. Martinez, was allegedly in possession of both heroin and methamphetamine when he was detained by police and was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• A 38-year-old Centralia man was arrested after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s residence at the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue and stole her credit cards on Saturday. Officers called about 4:35 p.m. located Tyler J. David, and booked him in to the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary and second-degree theft, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• Chehalis police were called for a vehicle theft about 5:40 a.m. on Saturday at the 2000 block of Southwest Salsbury Avenue. The owner had gone outside to warm up the car and 20 minutes later discovered the silver 2002 Audi A4 was gone, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The man’s construction work tools were inside, according to police.

• Centralia police were called about 1:30 p.m. on Friday to take a report from the 500 block of East Summa Street that a vehicle rented there had not been returned and was considered stolen. Missing is maroon colored 2015 Dodge Ram, with a license plate reading C38035D, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 8:40 p.m. on Saturday to the 2600 block of West Reynolds Avenue where an individual reported someone broke out his vehicle window and stole a bag of groceries.

• Two different victims reported that their vehicle windows were broken out and coats were taken within a 30 minute period just before about 7:45 p.m. on Saturday in the area of Pearl and Magnolia streets in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Christmas ornaments and clothing were stolen from a vehicle parked at the 100 block of West High Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 5:40 p.m. on Saturday. A window was broken out, according to the Centralia Police Department. An officer was called back to the same area at 8 p.m. for a similar incident in which a backpack and clothing were stolen.

• Centralia police were called at 6:15 p.m. on Friday to take a report that medication had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked at the 500 block of South Tower Avenue.

• Someone broke a window of a vehicle parked at the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia and stole three frying pans, according to a report made to Centralia police about 4:15 p.m. on Friday.

DRUGS AND CONTRABAND

• A 44-year-old Onalaska man picked up for an outstanding warrant about 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the 700 block of Leonard Road was arrested at booking when approximately seven grams of suspected methamphetamine were discovered, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Matthew W. Wright was arrested for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

• A 30-year-old inmate at the Lewis County Jail was arrested early Saturday morning after the pink smashed fruit and liquid mixture found inside two bottles found there tested positive for alcohol content. A deputy called to the facility about 2:30 a.m. arrested Jacob O. Meyer, from Vancouver, for possession of a controlled substance or intoxicant by a prisoner, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Syreeta W. Hookano, 38, of Rochester was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for driving under the influence after allegedly being involved in a two-vehicle, minor injury collision at about 10 p.m. on Saturday at North Tower Avenue and First Street in Centralia.

• Centralia police determined the pedestrian was at fault for crossing the street at the 100 block of North Tower Avenue outside of a crosswalk and getting struck by a vehicle. The approximately 6:10 p.m. incident on Saturday resulted in a minor injury, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 20-year-old Centralia man was arrested for hit and run on Friday after allegedly striking two parked vehicles at the 100 block of East Walnut Street in Centralia and leaving the scene. Gabriel Rodriguez-Rodriguez was arrested and then released pending a court date, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called at 7:47 p.m. on Friday about a hit and run to a parked vehicle at Harrison and View avenues. An officer was called at 12:22 a.m. Saturday for a hit and run to a fence on the 600 block of Woodland Avenue and then another parked vehicle struck at 4:28 a.m. at the 300 block of West Fourth Street, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, harassment, loitering, hit and run, protection order violation, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 390 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Gunshot victim says Serrano Mosso owed him money

Sunday, December 4th, 2016
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David Serrano Mosso, in red, at first said he didn’t need a Spanish interpreter for court, but changed his mind.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – David Serrano Mosso, 20, of Centralia is facing a maximum penalty of life in prison if he is convicted as charged after his second time in four months being accused of seriously assaulting a person with a gun.

He was arrested this summer after a 37-year-old man said Serrano Mosso pistol whipped him inside his car in the parking lot at Providence Centralia Hospital.

Early last week, a 19-year-old Centralia man said it was Serrano Mosso who shot him in the leg outside an apartment complex on Ives Road. It was a grazing wound and the victim drove himself to the hospital.

Serrano Mosso was picked up by police on Wednesday night at a Motel 6 in Tumwater. He is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and drive by shooting. He went before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, who kept his bail at $1 million, the amount of his arrest warrant.

In both cases, the victims said Serrano Mosso owed them money. The 19-year-old opined to police that maybe he was angry because he’d been trying to collect $300 for work he’d done on a vehicle. The 37-year-old said he’d sold Serrano-Mosso some wheels, which Serrano Mosso denied to police.

Both victims, both Centralia residents, said they either hadn’t known Serrano Mosso very long, or didn’t know him very well.

Charging documents in the new case indicate police found one spent 9 mm casing and one live 9 mm round on the ground at the scene of last Tuesday afternoon’s incident.

The documents reveal Serrano Mosso’s girlfriend was driving, with their 11-month-old daughter in the backseat, when Serrano Mosso allegedly shot at the teen. She denied knowing why he shot at the victim, according to court documents.

Claudia Cruz told police once it happened, she began yelling at him for what he had done and after driving a couple hundred yards told him to get out of her vehicle, which he did, according to the documents.

The case was responded to and investigated by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office because it occurred just outside city limits. According to court documents, it was detectives with the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team who tracked down Serrano Mosso in Tumwater.

Detectives followed a car to the motel, learned who had rented the room and subsequently found their suspect, a 24-year-old man, a woman and the woman’s 14-year-old daughter in the room, according to court documents.

Jorge L. Villagomez Barraza, 24, was charged also on Thursday, with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. Temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke said he is unemployed but is a life-long Tacoma resident. His bail was set at $50,000.

O’Rourke addressed the question of bail the same afternoon for Serrano Mosso.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead argued for bail to remain at $1 million, because authorities had reason to believe Serrano Mosso was attempting to flee to Mexico.

O’Rourke said he’d lived at the same Centralia address for the past three and a half years with his wife, her family and their child. Information in his case from this summer indicates he lived at an apartment on Russell Road and worked at Tacos El Ray, both in Centralia.

He had no felony criminal convictions previous to this summer’s case and was participating in Centralia Police Department’s 24/7 sobriety program, which relates to driving under the influence or similar offenses.

While the first case initially included a charge of first-degree assault as well as first-degree kidnapping, it didn’t end that way.

The 37-year-old victim was found beaten and bloody the night of July 28. Charging documents in that case describe the victim as meeting Serrano Mosso to get paid for some wheels, and Serrano Mosso plus another male getting into his car, with Serrano Mosso shoving a pistol into his ribs and telling him to drive out to a wooded area; when he pulled into the hospital parking lot instead, he said he was pistol whipped. His nose was broken.

Serrano Mosso was arrested and held on $500,000 bail, but by the end of September, his defense attorney Don Blair and prosecutors struck a deal.  Serrano Mosso made an Alford plea to second-degree assault, was sentenced to even less than the standard sentencing range and then was released from jail.

At the time, Prosecutor Halstead said the deal happened,  because of the “facts in the case.”

Last week, Halstead said it was more specifically, conflicting facts.

Serrano Mosso said there was no other male in the car that night and passed a lie detector test, Halstead said. The 37-year-old victim said there was. Halstead said he can’t very well put someone on a witness stand who’s not telling the truth.

Serrano Mosso’s arraignment for the current case is scheduled for Dec. 8.
•••

For background, read “News brief: Centralia shooting suspect found in Tumwater” from Thursday December 1, 2016, here