Lonzo W. Lawson II, left, listens to a deputy prosecutor accuse him of making off with thousands of dollars in a nighttime burglary.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office argued to a jury yesterday that the nearly $15,000 cash stolen in a break-in to a Napavine tavern earlier this spring was taken by a 37-year-old homeless man who pedaled seven miles on a bicycle to commit the burglary.
Lonzo W. Lawson II is charged with multiple offenses in connection with the April 9 hit on Frosty’s Saloon and Grill on West Front Street.
Jurors heard testimony the building had no alarm system and that the safe’s combination was written on a shelf near it.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Shane O’Rourke said Lawson learned from a cell mate in the Lewis County Jail, a Frosty’s employee, what an easy target the business would be.
O’Rourke contended Lawson told two buddies what he was going to do and returned with wads of cash which they spent on partying.
“A quick and easy pay day fell into Mr. Lawson’s lap, and he took it, O’Rourke said.
Lawson was arrested on April 12 at a Chehalis motel room, three days after the burglary. His trial in Lewis County Superior Court could last until early next week. Judge James Lawler is presiding.
O’Rourke told jurors the “cherry on top” of his case is the DNA found on a hat at the scene that matches the defendant.
The owner Gina Allen testified she did her usual bookwork on a Sunday, making sure to leave enough cash on hand for her next two days off, and also was getting ready to pay the property taxes.
Defense attorney Don Blair addressed the jury yesterday afternoon as well, suggesting there may be reason to think someone else was the culprit.
Blair told jurors they would learn a phone call the evening before asking what time the bar closed came from one of the buddy’s phones. And that friend is a drug dealer, a burglar, a thief and an informant, who wanted to get back at his client, Blair said.
“Some of what the state told you, we don’t disagree with,” Blair said.
He went on to repeat that the Frosty’s employee did talk while at the jail about how simple it would be to burglarize his workplace, but the conversations involved several inmates, he said.
“Frosty’s was an easy mark,” Blair said. “So it was a group over time he was talking to. He wasn’t just talking to Mr. Lawson.”
Lawson is charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree theft and possession of heroin and meth as well as two counts of trafficking in stolen property for allegedly sharing some of the loot with his friends.
Allen has since installed a security system at her business.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
When the dope dealers is actually a police informant shouldn’t that null and void the contract thus sending the informant to prison for his charges as well? No wonder people like Mr. Garibay take dealing with people like that into their own hands. There is no justice in this world… and CERTAINLY not in this county. Lewis Co- guilty until proven innocent.
So, uh, since when does a small town tavern generate $ 15,000 dollars in business. Keeping the cash on the premises no less. Is there a reason the business didn’t want the income on record by depositing it in a bank? Seems a little odd.
Using criminals to bust criminals should be considered a criminal act. But, I guess in today’s crazy mixed up world, emloying criminals to “fight crime” is just good police work.
Re: Amazed. I am afraid that things like that do happen in LC. The CI’s have a signed contract, signed by them and the head Officer, usually Officer Humphrey’s, when it is concerning Confidential informants. The problem here is neither party seems to abide by the contract. Usually it states, no drugs, use or other wise, a random lie detector test, the CI’s phone checked randomly for text mess. and phone calls, and random UA’s. But, in a recent case taken to trial proved that LC does not seem to follow through with these contract rules. There fore that recent case was won by the defendant. They coearse (spelling???) a druggie, CPS involved family, a thief, whom ever they can pressure into doing their dirty work for them, just so they can say that they have solved a case. What is sad is they just don’t care about who actually did do the crime they just care about winning a case. So, how many people convicted because of a none credible witness (CI) are actually guilty? This Lawson dude was probably not the only guy involved, if he was even involved at all. Just the fall guy, because one of the guys involved in the Frosty’s conversation did the job and told the law that it was Lawson !!!!!! hmmmmmmmm……
So….the line “And that friend is a drug dealer, a burglar, a thief and an informant, who wanted to get back at his client, Blair said.” was just a praphrasing and not an actual quote by Blair right?
That’s where the confusion arises. If it was an actual quote it Blair would have said, “…..MY client”.
I understand that. But, it leaves people thinking that the snitch and the accused are/were somehow involved with each other on a customer client basis.
Lawson is the client of Blair (lawyer) …
And that dope dealer is also a confidential informant.
Lawson was the ‘client’ of the un-named witness who Blair describes as a “thief” and “drug dealer”.
I.e.: one of the dope dealer’s clients is….Lawson.
I don’t get the “client” part either….. is the bar owner a client of the no-good “friend”? Who is the client? And of whom? Maybe I just missed it….
Amazed is right. Where is the justice here? CI are nothing but a thorn in law enforcements side. They can’t do their job without them. I’ve heard of all kinds of offers, even homes and children reunited with the mother. It’s quite a thing to offer someone to turn on those that had previously protected them. Wonder what LC is gonna do about this??? Wake up people! There is injustice everywhere you turn. It’s how the world seems to work. I for one will sit quietly in the shadows, waiting for the revolution, or evolution of mankind. Not just worrying about one county, but my country as a whole.
Blair told jurors they would learn a phone call the evening before asking what time the bar closed came from one of the buddy’s phones. And that friend is a drug dealer, a burglar, a thief and an informant, who wanted to get back at his client, Blair said………………………So, Informants CAN continue to deal drugs…hmmm I think I have clearly stated this before. I don’t think Lonzo did this job all on his own. But Informants aren’t supposed to participate in illegal activity, it’s in the contract that they have to sign. That does include dealing drugs & Burglary. IF a CI is arrested, & found guilty of such activity, all cases that they have assisted in by law are supposed to be null & void. That doesn’t happen here in LC.