Archive for January, 2018

Suicide attempt leads to felony charge for Centralia woman

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018
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By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Lewis County prosecutors have filed a criminal charge against a 24-year-old woman who allegedly tried to kill herself by lighting a fire in her bedroom and trying to inhale the smoke.

The woman subsequently told a police officer when she noticed flames going up the wall, she remembered there were people nearby so she called 911, according to court documents.

The fire in November in Centralia caused heavy damage to the single-wide mobile home and started to spread to nearby trees before it was extinguished.

She went before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court, charged with first-degree arson. She arrived at the courtroom in a wheelchair, accompanied by her father.

Judge Andrew Toynbee allowed her to remain free pending trial on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

The fire happened  about 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 21 in the 1300 block of Harrison Avenue. Firefighters at the time said they arrived to find smoke coming from all the windows and that the sole occupant had already exited the residence.

Riverside Fire Authority at the time stated there were no injuries and the occupant was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for evaluation.

Charging documents in the case, however, state she was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and that’s where a Centralia police officer spoke with her.

The woman told the officer she placed stuffed animals and napkins on the floor between her bed and the wall, threw one or two matches down and positioned her head close to the floor to breathe in the smoke, according to the court documents.

First-degree arson is a felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Outside the courtroom, the woman said she owned the home “outright” and her father said she would be pleading not guilty.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead said she was summonsed to appear before the judge yesterday, but wrote it down wrong on her calendar as today. A no-bail warrant was issued yesterday.

Asked about charging someone with a felony who was attempting suicide, Halstead said he would not talk about the case, and “there is more to it than that.”

The defendant was given a court appointed lawyer. Her arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 1.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018
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BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called about 7:40 a.m. yesterday for a burglary at a business on the 700 block of Harrison Avenue. A door was forced open and cash and medication was stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• A vehicle stolen from Thurston County was located abandoned at Plum and Buckner streets in Centralia just before 4 a.m. today.

• Chehalis police were called just before 8 a.m. yesterday to the 2100 block of North National Avenue to take a report that a Penske truck that was rented and supposed to be returned last month was missing. The loss is estimated at $50,000.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called for a vehicle prowl about 7:25 a.m. yesterday at the the 900 block of F Street. The unlocked vehicle was ransacked but nothing was missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

HARASSMENT

• Chehalis police were contacted about 12:15 p.m. yesterday about harassment involving juveniles. The case is under investigation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called to the 300 block of Latona Street just before 2 p.m. yesterday where graffiti had been spray painted onto a shed.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, no contact order violation, driving under the influence, being in physical control of vehicle while under the influence, operating motor vehicle without required ignition interlock device; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, hit and run, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 158 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

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018
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BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• A deputy was called about 10:30 a.m. yesterday for a burglary at the 200 block of Union Avenue in Centralia where someone had removed a window from a building and made off with a small propane torch, a half gallon of Irish creme and other alcoholic beverages. The loss is estimated at $25, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called about 7:35 p.m. yesterday to take a report that “a couple of” sawzalls had been stolen from a work truck parked at the 500 block of West Fourth Street last week.

BAD BILL

• Centralia police were called about 12:05 a.m. today after a business on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue discovered a counterfeit $100 bill had been collected there.

DRUGS

• Chehalis police were called about 1:50 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Southwest 16th Street because a 15-year-old boy allegedly had a pair of metal “knuckles” and green vegetable material on school grounds. The case is being referred to juvenile prosecutors for possible charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a dangerous weapon, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report from the 100 block of Alder Street about 10:30 a.m. yesterday regarding damage to the rear window of a residence.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, protection order violation; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances … and more among 141 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

Monday, January 22nd, 2018
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BREAK-IN GLENOMA

• A deputy responded to a burglary report yesterday from a resident on the 100 block of Uden Road East in Glenoma who reported returning home about 3 p.m. to find someone had broken in. Among the valuables stolen were pocket knives, currency and electronic devices, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A small metal gun safe was damaged as someone had attempted to drill the lock, according to the sheriff’s office. It happened sometime after 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

BREAK-IN PACKWOOD

• A deputy responded about 2:15 p.m. yesterday for a burglary at the 100 block of Tatoosh Trail in Packwood in which the victim reported that sometime since Thursday someone entered a residence and took the keys to an outbuilding and a second residence. Among the missing property is a 1977 GMC Jimmy from the garage, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A list of what was stolen is still being compiled, according to the sheriff’s office.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were called about 3:25 p.m. on Saturday by an individual at the 500 block of South Ash Street who reported that sometime overnight unknown persons entered his residence while he was away and stole several power tools.

BREAK-IN CHEHALIS

• Chehalis police responded about 3:50 a.m. on Saturday to a burglary at a gas station on the 1200 block of South Market Boulevard. The front door was broken and cash was stolen, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Police are investigating.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 12:18 p.m. yesterday for a report of a Honda Accord stolen during the night from the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue which was later recovered in Grays Harbor County.

SHOPLIFTING FELONY

• Police were called just after 9 a.m. on Saturday to the 600 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia because two people allegedly stole merchandise from an area of the business for employees only. Michael P. Doven, 35, of Chehalis, and Jesse M. McCracken, 21, of Centralia, were arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FELONY ASSAULT

• Chehalis police were called just before noon on Saturday to take a report of a second-degree domestic assault the the 800 block of North National Avenue. A female said the 32-year-old suspect choked and kicked her, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The victim was taken to the hospital to be checked with what were not believed to be life threatening injuries, according to police. The suspect is outstanding police said.

SCAMS

• Centralia police were contacted by two different people on Friday who reported they received a fraudulent phone call from an individual claiming to be from the IRS demanding money. Neither person fell for it, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A Chehalis resident reported to police on Friday morning getting a phone call from someone claiming they were awarding him money for home repair and remodeling and they would send him a check, if he would keep some of it and return some money. “He thought it was odd and did not send any money,” Chehalis Police Department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. That sort of a deal is always a scam, according to Bailey. The department tracked the information to a telemarketer in California, she said.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Chehalis police were called about 11:45 a.m. on Friday by a woman who reported she was the victim of a hit and run in which someone from the other vehicle told her to “Go back to Mexico” and drove off. It happened in a parking lot at the 500 block of South Market Boulevard. An officer made contact with an 85-year-old female driver and her passenger from the vehicle which left and they denied making such a comment, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The victim did not want to pursue charges, but only wanted help getting the other driver to exchange information, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, trespassing, hit and run, protection order violation, driving with suspended license, fourth-degree domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor assault  … and more among 394 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, January 19th, 2018
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Updated

ATTEMPTED COFFEE STAND BREAK-IN

• An officer was called to a coffee stand yesterday at the 1700 block of North National Avenue in Chehalis to take a report of an attempted burglary that occurred during the night. The door was damaged but they did not get inside, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

SCAM CALL

• Chehalis police were contacted last night by a person who said they got a call from someone claiming to be collecting donations for the Chehalis Police Alliance, wanting to know if it was a scam. The police department said they are doing no such fundraising.

OTHER THEFT

• Centralia police were called to the 1300 block of Alexander Street about 5:20 p.m. yesterday where an individual reported $50 was stolen from his pocket while he slept.

• An Apple iPhone was stolen from the 900 block of Johnson Road in Centralia, according to a report made to police just after 8 p.m. yesterday.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:40 a.m. yesterday to take a report of credit card fraud in a case associated with the 1400 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue. Police are investigating, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• A deputy responded to the 200 block of Harmon Road last night to investigate a vehicle prowl in a parking lot. The victim said it happened after 7:15 p.m. and before 8:30 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A window was damaged and a purse was stolen, according to the sheriff’s office.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 61-year-old Centralia resident cited yesterday for operating a motor vehicle without a required ignition interlock device was warned not to drive but about five minutes after the officer drove out of sight, he drove the vehicle anyway, according to the Centralia Police Department. It happened around 11:10 a.m. in the area of Alder and Cherry streets, according to police. Scott R. Reichert, 61, of Centralia, was arrested again and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• A 27-year-old Chehalis area woman was arrested yesterday for her alleged role in an incident over New Year’s weekend at the 300 block of Hawkins Road in Winlock. Brittany M. Boone was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree robbery. According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and charging documents, her sister Carly R. Holmes and a male acquaintance store some belongings at the Winlock property and when Holmes and the male returned a vehicle there, they brought Boone along. They allegedly accused the 46-year-old resident of stealing some of their property and Holmes allegedly told the resident to sign a piece of paper signing his vehicle over to her and pointed a gun at him. The 46-year-old man said the male pushed him to the ground; he said he feared for his life so he signed the paper. The 46-year-old also said he was struck in the head with the gun, but deputies did not see any injury. He got away to a neighbor’s house to call 911. Prosecutors plan to add charges for Holmes and her male acquaintance to reflect their roles, Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead indicated in court documents. Bail was set at $25,000 for Boone.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, trespassing, probation violation, third-degree theft, driving under the influence, protection order violation; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, civil issue, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances  … and more among 142 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

Thursday, January 18th, 2018
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RUN IN WITH THE REPO MAN

• A 39-year-old man is jailed after allegedly injuring an individual trying to repossess his Cadillac Escalade yesterday in Curtis. Deputies called about 5:45 p.m. to the 100 block of Alder Ridge Lane were told two gentlemen had arrived and were in the process of taking away the vehicle when Patrick J. Trice came outside, jumped into the Cadillac, put it in reverse and slammed into one man’s leg, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. They had all the proper paperwork to do what they were doing, according to sheriff’s Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey. Trice was located, arrested for third-degree assault and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to Kimsey.

RUN IN WITH EMPLOYEE, OFFICER

• Centralia police called about 10:40 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of South Tower Avenue where a 34-year-old man allegedly had grabbed and scratched the face of an employee at the business ended up arresting the man for third-degree assault as well. Clint M. Fleming, of Centralia, allegedly kicked an arriving officer, according to the Centralia Police Department. Fleming was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

BREAK-IN BISHOP ROAD

• A deputy responded about 10 a.m. yesterday for a burglary at the 1600 block of Bishop Road where a business owner reported arriving to discover two doors had been forced open and someone stole about $1,000 worth of tools. Among the missing items are a Dewalt chop saw, two Bostitch nail guns, and a Dewalt sawzall, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

DRUGS

• A 34-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after contact with police just after 9 a.m. yesterday at the 1500 block of View Avenue in Centralia. Jason C. Davis was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, hit and run, civil issue, third-degree theft, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, protection order violation … and more among 144 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, January 17th, 2018
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THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 5:35 p.m. yesterday to the 2400 block of Leisure Lane where food items were stolen from a freezer that was inside a shed on the victim’s property.

• Centralia police were called just before 1 p.m. yesterday regarding the theft of a tackle box and extension cord from an unlocked shed on the 600 block of Nick Road.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning that someone broke into a garage at the 300 block of Roe Road in Winlock and stole three Stihl chainsaws and a gas can sometime between Friday and Saturday.

ASSAULT REPORT

• Chehalis police were called just after 8 a.m. yesterday to the Lewis County Juvenile Justice Center on the 1200 block of Pacific Avenue to take a report of an alleged assault. Police are waiting on a statement from the alleged victim, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Chehalis police were called about 10:35 a.m. yesterday to the restrooms at Penny Playground off 13th Street to take a report of spray painted graffiti.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 40-year-old Chehalis man was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital after a single-vehicle rollover collision early this morning at the 200 block of Kirkland Road. A deputy responding just after 3 a.m. indicated the 2007 Mazda landed on its top, showed major damage and the driver had to be extricated by fire and aid crews, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Benjamin O. Hoffman suffered leg pain and possible injuries to his head, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey said a citation for third-degree driving with suspended license is expected.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, panhandling, driving with suspended license, fourth-degree assault, protection order violation; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, civil issue, third-degree theft, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, vehicle collision, misdemeanor assault … 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.