By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A search of the Honda Accord that wrecked in Chehalis trying to flee a traffic stop last week turned up belongings from a just-burglarized house as expected, but also stolen property and identifications from victims in Salkum, Toledo, Olympia, Tacoma and other communities as far north as Anacortes, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
A man and woman were arrested, the man as he was coming out of a basement from a nearby residence where he tried to hide on Thursday.
Russell L. Cobb, 44, of Kent, was facing numerous possible charges including burglary, eluding and unlawful possession of a firearm. His companion who gave her name as Theresa L. St. Clair, 30, of Renton, is now facing further charges of forgery and identity theft, the sheriff’s office said this morning.
“It turns out, Theresa L. St. Clair is actually not her real name,” Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.
The suspect’s real name is Tara J. Hino, she said. She’s 32 and lives in Federal Way.
St. Clair is the victim of identity theft whose debit cards were found in the couple’s car, according to Brown.
Items recovered from the Honda included methamphetamine, meth pipes and needles and also indicated victims in Federal Way, Fife and Renton, Brown said.
It’s going to be an ongoing investigation Brown said, noting merchandise stolen from Wal-Mart and Sears was also found inside the car. The Honda Accord was stolen in Fife.
Brown said the investigation also revealed Hino forged a stolen check at Staples to purchase a laminating machine, suspected for use in creating more identifications.
The Honda was pulled over around 11 a.m. on Thursday, after a neighbor on Linda Vista Drive south of Chehalis reported seeing suspicious individuals in and around a house.
The driver then took off, but spun out and wrecked on South Market Boulevard near Second Street.
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For background, read “Burglary suspect found hiding in Chehalis resident’s basement” from Thursday December 10, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter