Archive for November, 2017

News brief: Drugs, drugs, drugs

Thursday, November 30th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Local drug detectives arrested three people in separate cases yesterday in the Twin Cities with enough heroin they could have, or allegedly planned to, sell some to other people.

All three were charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Matthew C. Gilmon, 24, of Chehalis, was under active supervision by the state Department of Corrections and had an outstanding DOC warrant, according to charging documents. He was visited at his home on the 600 block of Southwest William Avenue in Chehalis yesterday by a DOC officer and members of the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.

A search of his room allegedly turned up what appeared as a “large amount” of heroin in a glass container, scales, clean and used baggies plus $260 cash, according to the documents.

As detectives were clearing William Avenue, they heard a dispatch over the radio about a disturbance involving drugs at the AM/PM on Southwest Interstate Avenue and found the suspected car involved, contacting a 20-year-old Pe Ell resident.

Logen K. Elliott allegedly had a small plastic baggie with a brown substance under his driver’s seat that a detective could see and also had a suspended driver’s license, his charging documents relate.

A search of his car turned up a small box with heroin in it.

Twenty-eight-year-old Jonathan J. Kaye was contacted by JNET detectives at his home yesterday on the 1900 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia and gave them permission to conduct a search, his charging documents allege.

Prior felony convictions prohibit Kaye from keeping guns, but the officers found six firearms, at least two of which were stolen, according to the documents.

They also found enough heroin to break into small packages and sell separately, scales, spoons and baggies, the documents allege. The court documents state the detectives found 20.5 grams of methamphetamine as well.

Kaye was charged additionally with six counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of possessing a stolen firearm. He was not charged in connection with the suspected meth.

The suspects were booked into the Lewis County Jail. This afternoon they were brought before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court.

Prosecutors asked that Kaye be held on $100,000 bail.

Judge Joely O’Rourke granted the request, saying the combination of drugs and guns in the allegations were an enormous threat to community safety.

Gilmon’s bail was set at $25,000 and Elliott’s was set at $10,000.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, November 30th, 2017
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•••

Updated

VEHICLE THEFT

• Chehalis police were called about 4:45 a.m. today about the theft of a vehicle from the 1000 block of Southwest Interstate Avenue.

• A blue 2005 Harley Davidson Road King was stolen around 8:45 p.m. yesterday from in front of a business at the 100 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia. The motorcycle has a license plate reading 1E9132, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called to a repair shop on the 600 block of Northwest State Avenue about 8:50 a.m. yesterday following the discovery that a TC Mopper excavator had been stolen. The business thought the owner had picked it up about a month earlier, but the owner said he did not, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

SERIAL SHOPLIFTING

• Centralia police say they caught a 25-year-old homeless man last night who allegedly stole merchandise from a store on the 500 block of South Tower Avenue on six different occasions over the previous two days. Samuel T. McQuigg was arrested for a half dozen instances of third-degree theft and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

OTHER THEFT

• Chehalis police were called to a bank on the 1400 block of South Market Boulevard just before 1 p.m. yesterday about a possible first-degree theft involving a non-sufficient funds check.

• Centralia police were called about 11:40 a.m. yesterday to a store on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue to take a report that an unidentified female suspect stole approximately $150 from the business by convincing an employee she was to receive a refund, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police took a report from the 500 block of Hillkress Avenue in Centralia about 9:10 a.m. yesterday regarding credit card fraud by unknown suspects.

INTERFERING WITH HEALTHCARE FACILITY

• A 37-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for third-degree malicious mischief, resisting arrest and interfering with a healthcare facility after police were called about 6:20 p.m. yesterday to the 800 block of Vienna Street. John R. Gladue III was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called just before 7:30 a.m. today for an overnight vehicle prowl at the 400 block of Northeast Adams Avenue.

• A chainsaw was stolen in a vehicle prowl at the 800 block of Marion Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police just before 3 p.m. yesterday.

DRUGS

• A 40-year-old woman was arrested yesterday afternoon after a deputy made a traffic stop at Jackson Highway and state Route 508, learned she had outstanding warrants and a search turned up a glass pipe with a small amount of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court documents. Amy J. Threlfall, whose court file shows a Longview address, was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

• Daniel D. Vancil, 22, of Centralia was arrested for possession of heroin after contact with police about 12:20 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of East High Street, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

• A 17-year-old boy was arrested yesterday after deputies called about 11 a.m. regarding suspicious circumstances on Davis Lake Road in Morton detained him and found him to be in possession of a substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He was booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center, according to the sheriff’s office.

VANDALISM

• Chehalis police called at 9:45 a.m. yesterday about the window of a van shattered possibly by a BB gun at the 10 block of Southwest Chehalis Avenue subsequently contacted a child who who admitted shooting at the window, according to the Chehalis Police Department. An officer spoke to the victim as well as the boy and his family, who all agreed to work it out between themselves, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, protection order violation, no contact order violation, driving under the influence, fourth-degree domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, third-degree theft, harassment, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, telephone harassment … and more among 162 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, November 29th, 2017
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•••

Updated

BRASS KNUCKLES AT SCHOOL

• Police were called about 9:45 a.m. yesterday to the 800 block of Eshom Road in Centralia where a 15-year-old boy allegedly brought a pair of brass knuckles to school. The case is being referred to prosecutors for criminal charging, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ELECTRICITY MISSING

• Centralia police are investigating a report from about 7:10 a.m. yesterday of theft from public utilities at a vacant house on the 900 block of West Walnut Street where someone used a “jumper” to restore power.

FUEL MISSING

• An individual reported the theft of fuel from the 1300 block of North Washington Avenue in Centralia about 4 p.m. yesterday.

FANCY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS MISSING

• A Star Shower Motion Laser Light Projector was reported stolen from a front yard at the 800 block of G Street yesterday.

LOST AND FOUND

• An individual called police at 1:30 p.m. yesterday to report a vehicle stolen at the 2100 block of North National Avenue but then called back to say it was located in the parking lot.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called about 2:45 p.m. yesterday to the 600 block of North Pearl Street where someone had damaged Christmas lights in a front yard.

• Centralia police were called about 2:25 p.m. yesterday when an individual reported that unknown person(s) threw a soda can through a window at the 300 block of Yew Street breaking the glass.

UPDATE: ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWING BY CHINESE NATIONALS

• The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office reports the operation led by the Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force yesterday after an investigation into illegal marijuana growing, primarily in areas of their county, involved 50 search warrants and resulted in 44 arrests and the seizure of 26 vehicles, multiple guns and more than $400,000 worth of cash and gold. A total of 32,449 marijuana plants were confiscated which they estimate had a value in excess of $80 million. Four of the searches were made in Thurston County, in the Lacey and Olympia areas; eight searches were conducted in King County, in Kent and Bellevue, according to Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate. Other search warrants were served at various locations in and around Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Ocean Shores, Cosmopolis, Montesano, Elma and McCleary.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, hit and run, resisting arrest, probation violation, protection order violation, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, fourth-degree domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, shoplifting, hit and run, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, telephone harassment … and more among 143 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

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Seized marijuana plants was taken from a Central Park grow prior to being taken away for destruction. / Courtesy photo by Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office

Illegal marijuana growing by Chinese nationals targeted in Grays Harbor County

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
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One indoor marijuana cultivating scene. / Courtesy photo by Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Members of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, including from Lewis County, joined up with state and federal agents to serve search warrants in three counties today following an investigation into illegal marijuana growing operations by Chinese nationals.

The Grays Harbor County Drug Task Force oversaw today’s activities after a months-long investigation in which they learned of numerous homes being purchased for that purpose, primarily for cash, by people involved in organized crime, according to Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate.

“The proceeds from these illegal grows appear to be funding other criminal enterprises,” Shumate said in a press release. “Those investigations are on-going.”

With the citizen’s passage of Initiative 502, the law enforcement community supports the legal operations of marijuana producers, processors and retailers in this state, according to Shumate. They are required by Washington state law to be licensed and follow strict guidelines, he stated.

Teams today are processing the scenes and removing for destruction any illegal marijuana. Personnel from the Lewis County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office were among those assisting.

Shumate said the search warrants were served throughout Grays Harbor County as well as in related locations in Thurston and King counties, but did not reveal specific places, the number of arrests or the quantity of marijuana found.

He did say the investigation originated with citizen reports of possible illegal grows outside of Elma, in McCleary, Aberdeen and Hoquiam.

Also part of today’s operation were members of agencies such as the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017
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•••

Updated

SENIOR CITIZENS VICTIMIZED IN BURGLARY

• A deputy was called about 10:50 p.m. yesterday to the home of a 95-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman after the discovery their residence on the 200 block of Joppish Road in Centralia had been ransacked. Both garage doors were found open and among the missing property were a Samsung 42-inch flat screen television, a purple suitcase with afghans and medication, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. One of the victims said everything was fine when she left at 9 o’clock that morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

FIREARMS STOLEN IN BREAK-IN

• A deputy was called to the 300 block of Davis Lake Road in Morton about 10:30 a.m. yesterday where an individual found a door forced open and an estimated $5,000 worth of guns and car parts missing from a residence and garage. He said he had last been there about 1 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

OTHER CRIME

• An attempted burglary to a fenced area was discovered and reported to police yesterday just before 4 p.m. at the 900 block of South Gold Street in Centralia.

• Chehalis police were called about 3:45 p.m. yesterday to take a report of an assault involving a male and a female at Northwest Chehalis Avenue and Park Street. The incident is under investigation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called to the 1200 block of Mellen Street about 4:45 p.m. yesterday where a business reported  the theft of gasoline from a vehicle during the night.

DRUGS

• Centralia police arrested two people for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver about 10:15 a.m. yesterday at the the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. Tavryn L. Lindsey, 22, of Toledo, and Shelby N. McCory, 25, a homeless person, were both booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Centralia police were called about 1:10 p.m. yesterday to Tower Avenue and Pear Street where a car collided with a tree, sheering the tree off at the trunk and totaling the car.

RESPONDERS LET GARAGE BURN

• Centralia area firefighters called about 10:10 a.m. yesterday to a burning garage building known for sometimes being used by homeless people allowed it to burn, for firefighter safety reasons, according to Riverside Fire Authority. The location with the two-car garage and an attached storage room at the end of Alexander Street has had fires in the past, according to Fire Capt. Tim Adolphsen. The captain indicated that after everything was mostly consumed, they extinguished the flames. Nobody was injured, according to Adolphsen.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, third-degree theft, probation violation, fourth-degree assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, misdemeanor theft, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 156 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

County clerk election: Too close to call without a recount

Tuesday, November 28th, 2017

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The sitting Lewis County clerk edged out his opponent by just 38 votes, but because the race is so close, a recount will be conducted, according to officials.

Scott Tinney was appointed to the position a year ago after Lewis County Clerk Kathy Brack vacated the elected office two years into a four-year term.

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Scott Tinney

Carla Shannon, a deputy clerk in the Lewis County Clerk’s Office, ran against him. Both are Republicans.

The results of the November election were certified today.

The final tally shows Tinney with 7,318 votes and Shannon with 7,280.

Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove said today that because the number of votes separating the two candidates is so small, a machine recount has been scheduled for next Tuesday, at 10 a.m.

Because Brack served as a Republican, her party got a role in the process of replacing her after her retirement in September of 2016. The local party’s first choice was Shannon, but the Lewis County Board of Commissioners selected the party’s third choice, Tinney, when they made the appointment last year.

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Carla Shannon

The Lewis County clerk serves as the official record keeper for the Lewis County Superior Court. The office is on the second floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.

Shannon has worked in Lewis County as a deputy clerk in Lewis County about six years. Tinney previously worked as a deputy clerk in Thurston County.

The position will again be on the ballot in November 2018 for a normal four-year term.
•••

For background, read “Primary voters favor Tinney, Shannon for county clerk” from Wednesday August 2, 2017, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, November 27th, 2017
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•••

Updated at 1:48 p.m.

BITING ASSAULT

• Deputies were called about 8:10 a.m. on Saturday to the Lewis County Jail where a 27-year-old Olympia area woman allegedly bit the finger of a corrections deputy as staff was trying to restrain her. Stacie L. Wilson was arrested for custodial assault and re-booked, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

SHOOTING THREAT

• A 61-year-old Chehalis area man upset about possibly being evicted was arrested for four counts of felony harassment as he allegedly threatened to put a bullet in the back of victims’ heads on Wednesday at the 1500 block of Middle Fork Road. Harry Lauster was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged victims are men ages 20 through 35, according to the sheriff’s office.

BURGLARY

• Chehalis police were called about 11:45 a.m. yesterday for a burglary to a business at the 100 block of North Market Boulevard in which receipts and cash had been stolen while the business was closed. The money was taken out of an honor system payment box for trees, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• A deputy was called on Thursday to take a report from a woman who discovered about noon the lock on her storage unit was missing at the 2200 block of Southwest Salsbury Avenue in Chehalis. Taken sometime since 7 p.m. the night before were two televisions and a drill, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

MISSING MONEY

• A woman called police about 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday to report she had an envelope with several hundred dollars inside which was either lost or stolen while she was out and about in Chehalis.

AUTO THEFT

• An individual reported about 7:30 p.m. yesterday that sometime during the previous week someone stole her black 1997 Honda Accord, from the 700 block of South Ash Street in Centralia. It has a license plate of 616 YFB,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 11:45 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a Dodge pickup stolen which was later recovered in a case associated with a location near South Iron and Pear streets.

• A deputy was called about 7:30 a.m. yesterday to take a report that a 1995 Honda Accord had been stolen from the 1600 block of Windsor Avenue in Centralia sometime after 9:30 p.m. the day before. It was found about noon, undamaged, in a parking lot at the 1300 block of Grand Avenue, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• Police were called about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday to the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue after an individual’s co-worker reported seeing their vehicle leave the parking lot. Stolen was a blue 1989 Honda Civic wagon with black rims, two stickers in the rear window and black seat covers, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called just before 7 a.m. today to take a report of gasoline siphoned from a vehicle parked  at the 300 block of South King Street.

• Police were called about 8:40 a.m. yesterday for a vehicle prowl at the 3000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia in which a social security card was taken.

• Police were called to the 1500 block of Snively Avenue in Chehalis about 8:25 a.m. on Wednesday where someone had broken into a truck and stole several tools.

DRUGS

• A suspected shoplifter detained at the the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue at about 1:35 p.m. yesterday was allegedly subsequently found in possession of a pipe, a scale and suspected drugs, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Angie M. Benzshawel, 44, of McCleary, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• A Centralia area resident contacted about 6:45 p.m. on Thursday because of an outstanding warrant was subsequently found in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Terry R. Strong, 49, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

OTHER CRIMES

• A 38-year-old Centralia area woman contacted by a deputy early on Friday was arrested for an incident on Nov. 11 in Morton in which she allegedly provided her sister’s name as her own to a deputy. Jessica R. Gladue was booked into the Lewis County Jail for criminal impersonation, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

VANDALISM

• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for third-degree malicious mischief after police were called to the 2800 block of Russell Road in Centralia about 11:40 p.m. yesterday where he had allegedly slashed the tire of the victim’s vehicle with a knife. Tyler M. Hall, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 10:15 a.m. on Saturday to the 600 block of Southwest Cascade Avenue where someone had punctured and flattened all four tires on a vehicle belonging to someone else.

• A deputy was called to the Lewis County Jail about 11 a.m. on Friday to take a report of an inmate who allegedly damaged a kiosk and phone, amounting to $1,750. Joel L. Kaech, 27, from Seattle, was arrested and re-booked for second-degree malicious mischief, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• An officer was called about 8 a.m. on Friday to a business at the Twin City Town Center on the 1400 block of  Northwest Louisiana Avenue regarding damage to a  window which appeared to have been shot at.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:50 p.m. on Thursday to the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue where the rear window of a vehicle was shattered, possibly with a BB gun. Police say they will happily accept anonymous tips about who the suspect is.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, resisting arrest, third-degree theft, probation violation, driving with suspended license, protection order violation, fourth-degree domestic assault, possession of marijuana, third-degree malicious mischief, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, shoplifting, vehicle collision, possible fraud, suspicious circumstances … and more among 129 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.