Posts Tagged ‘news reporter’

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, September 30th, 2016
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Updated at 3:23 p.m.

THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• A 47-year-old man was arrested yesterday following an investigation after a resident on the 2500 block of Seminary Hill in Centralia discovered a pawn slip listing items belonging to him that he subsequently realized were missing. The slip had a relative’s name on it, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding to the report on Tuesday learned the property included a chainsaw, a floor jack, jack stands and was pawned on Sept. 6. Patrick S. Dumar, of Centralia, was contacted and booked into the Lewis County Jail for residential burglary and first-degree trafficking in stolen property, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

• Chehalis police were called just after 1 p.m. yesterday to a a bank on the 1400 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue to take a report that they accepted two checks on a closed account. The account had been closed following a theft related to a vehicle prowl, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The loss is $4,240, according to police.

• Someone stole items from three separate lockers at the 2000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 10:30 a.m. yesterday.

• Police were called about a vehicle prowl about 7:15 a.m. yesterday at the 500 block of West First Street in Centralia. A large amount of tools were missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 39-year-old Centralia man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after contact with police just after 2 p.m. yesterday at the 700 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. Justin L. Hyde was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police arrested a 40-year-old Mossyrock woman for unlawful inhalation when they were called the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue about 4:10 p.m. yesterday for a complaint a customer had purchased canned air and had sniffed it in the store. Jennifer L. Barber was issued a citation and then released, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Someone scratched graffiti into freshly poured concrete at the 700 block of K Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police at 4 p.m. yesterday.

POLICE PURSUITS

• A 45-year-old man was arrested last night for felony eluding after he failed to pull over when a deputy observed him traveling about 10 mph over the limit, left his vehicle in the middle of the road and headed on foot to his home. It occurred about 9:30 p.m. when the deputy was conducting speed enforcement in the area of Galvin and River Heights roads, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. When contacted in the area of Joppish and Harriman roads, the deputy smelled the overwhelming odor of intoxicants, according to the sheriff’s office. A Taser was deployed and Brian K. Elliott was taken into custody, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said. Elliott was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail. The sheriff’s office is referring charges of obstructing and driving under the influence. Elliott is to be released without the felony charge filed today, pending further investigation.

• A 24-year-old Chehalis man was arrested for felony eluding and an outstanding warrant after he was contacted at the 1200 block of Long Road in Centralia, emitted the strong odor of intoxicants, put his car in reverse and took off at about 7:30 yesterday morning. Galen R. Whitmire headed north, but veered off the road into a garden and crashed into an apple tree, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Whitmire began to run east on Alder Street, but was caught and detained, according to the sheriff’s office. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail. Cases for driving under the influence and third-degree driving with suspended license are being referred to prosecutors, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

VEGETATION FIRE

• While the outdoor burning prohibition has been lifted, there still hasn’t been as much rain as some would like to make the activity safe. Firefighters were called about 6 p.m. yesterday to a Christmas tree farm on the 700 block of Brockway Road where flames from burn piles got out of control and spread, Chehalis Fire Department Chief Ken Cardinale said this morning. They joined Lewis County Fire District 6 and personnel from the state Department of Natural Resources and were able to contain it to about 10 acres, the chief said. But it took took two to two and half hours or so, he said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrant, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, hit and run, civil issue, disorderly person, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor assault, collision on city street, homeless male sleeping by a back door  … and more

News brief: Inappropriate touching case from Sunbird ends with plea deal

Thursday, September 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The 33-year-old man charged with indecent liberties for allegedly grabbing the hand of a 20-year-old special needs student and placing it in his crotch area while the two were working at Sun Bird Shopping Center in Chehalis was sentenced yesterday to 90 days in jail.

Rodney R. Cook, from Olympia, was arrested last month.

The young woman was participating in a  program in which students go to local businesses to learn job skills.

Cook entered into a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to two counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and the indecent liberties charge was dropped, according to his lawyer Kevin Nelson.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt yesterday accepted the agreed recommendation in which Cook would be given 364 days in jail with all but 90 of them suspended for two years. He’s already served 43 days.
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For background, read “Sunbird employee accused of inappropriately touching  developmentally disabled worker” from Thursday August 18, 2016, here

Final suspect in drug-related robbery going to prison

Thursday, September 29th, 2016
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By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The final of four suspects in a Centralia heroin-related incident this summer that resulted in a fight inside a car with a box cutter and bear spray was sentenced yesterday to one year and a day in prison.

Kiana J. DeLaRosa, 18, of Chehalis, was convicted by plea of second-degree robbery, but didn’t show up earlier this month for her sentencing hearing.

She and prosecutors had a deal in place in which she would have gotten only six months in jail, given she had no criminal history.

Yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court, she pleaded guilty to bail jumping and the cases were combined for the longer sentence.

Prosecutors alleged a set up of a drug deal; the two victims told police of a request to get some heroin for DeLaRosa who claimed to be “drug sick.” It happened at the 1600 block of North Scheuber Road in Centralia at about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 30.

A purse and a backpack were taken and two of the subjects admitted to finding a small amount of heroin and using it before they were contacted by officers.

DeLaRosa’s attorney Chris Baum told the judge his client made bad choices and compounded her issues by not coming back to court.

DeLaRosa told the judge she wants someone to help her with her drug addiction.

“I just regret my mistake that I made, and I take full responsibility for them,” she said.

Judge Nelson Hunt imposed the agreed upon recommendation of Baum and the prosecutor’s office.

Robert Plasencia, 29, of Napavine, got 22 months when he was sentenced last month for second-degree robbery.

Andrea Parker, 34, and Jon Parker, 32, of Chehalis, pleaded guilty soon after to conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery. He was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. She was given 50 months as her conviction was combined with four other cases from this year.
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For background, read “Bear spray, box cutter and heroin” from Friday August 12, 2016, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, September 29th, 2016
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SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

• Chehalis police were called about 3:45 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Southwest Sixth Street after a student reported seeing a shirtless male pushing an empty baby stroller holding a gun. A responding officer was unable to locate the subject but came up with an idea about who it might be and spoke to the person later on, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The male did not have a firearm but did have an old gas pump handle that may have looked like one, according to police. He denied taking it out or pointing it though, a department spokesperson said.

THREAT FROM CHILD DRAWS POLICE

• Police were called to the 1200 block of Southwest Pacific Avenue in Chehalis just before 5 p.m. yesterday and arrested a 13-year-old girl for felony harassment with threat to kill. A comment made was associated with a disagreement between the girl and a parent, according to the Chehalis Police Department. She was booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 3:10 p.m. yesterday to the 600 block of Centralia College Boulevard where an individual reported their red 1997 Jeep Cherokee had been stolen sometime during the previous two hours. The license plate reads ADN 4768, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• An officer was called just before 2 p.m. yesterday to the 10 block of Southwest Third Street in Chehalis where someone had broke into a van which was behind two locked gates. They ransacked it and stole an iPad, a charger and a keyboard, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 11 a.m. yesterday for a vehicle prowl on the 10 block of Northeast Division Street. Someone stole a battery from inside an unlocked van parked in the lot, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

VEGETATION CATCHES FIRE

• Firefighters called abut 2:45 p.m. yesterday to fire in a field behind an apartment building in an area near the 100 block of Southwest William and Chehalis avenues found grass, brush and cottonwoods burning over about a half acre. The extinguished it and discovered sleeping bags and trash at the origin of the fire, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrant, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, identity theft, third-degree theft, suspicious person, vandalism, collision on city street … and more among 149 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Centralia teens hurt when truck leaves roadway

Thursday, September 29th, 2016
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Pickup truck rests on its top. / Courtesy photo by Riverside Fire Authority.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two young men were extricated from a small pickup truck that was nearly split in half from the force of its collision into a tree in Centralia last night.

Firefighters called about 9:20 p.m. to the area off North Gold Street at Ham Hill Road found the truck at the bottom of an embankment on its top. The occupants had been wearing seat belts, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

Crews used hydraulic tools to remove the 18-year-old driver and his 16-year-old passenger, according to authorities.

Fire Capt. Scott Weinert said because of suspected internal injuries, the pair were airlifted to Harborview Medial Center in Seattle.

Centralia police report this morning it appears that speed and inexperience were factors in the collision. The police department describes their injuries as non-life threatening.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
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FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• Bail was set at $15,000 this afternoon for a 19-year-old Rochester resident accused of showing up at the Centralia home of a female he was prohibited by court order from contacting and reaching into her sweatshirt pocket and taking her wallet before fleeing. The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 8, but charges were filed on Sept. 13 in Lewis County Superior Court. Jacob J. Killian was picked up on warrants last night and booked into the Lewis County Jail, facing charges of first-degree theft and violation of a court order. The wallet was said to contain identification, an EBT card and about $10 cash, according to court documents. His arraignment is tomorrow.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrant, probation violation, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, disorderly person, trespassing, suspicious circumstances, homeless person sleeping on a covered porch, male living in a bus stop for over a week … and more among 178 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Former Mossyrock city official sorry for theft, gets prison time

Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
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Doneia A. Santiago turns to hug family members goodbye following her sentencing hearing this morning in Lewis County Superior Court.

Updated at 6:25 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The now-former Mossyrock city clerk-treasurer is heading to prison with a five year sentence for embezzling what the mayor says comes to more than $67,000.

Doneia A. Santiago, 53, came to Lewis County Superior Court in Chehalis today, free on a signature bond since her June arrest, and was taken into custody at the end of the hearing.

Defense attorney Don Blair didn’t ask the judge for a particular amount of time for his client, but noted she was cooperative after the mayor approached her and left her job without taking her final paycheck. She even borrowed a large sum of money from a friend in an attempt to begin repaying the loss, but prosecutors wouldn’t accept it as part of a deal for less time, he said.

“She got into a situation where she was short on funds and started using the city’s bank account to pay her mortgage,” Blair told the judge. “Clearly she regrets that.”

The defendant told the court she was very sorry.

Santiago was charged initially with first-degree theft, for what at first looked like less than $8,000 taken over a less than three-year period. By mid-July, documents were filed indicating investigators found evidence more than $37,000 was taken. A deal was struck in which she pleaded guilty to nine counts of first-degree identity theft earlier this month.

Mossyrock Mayor Tom Meade addressed the court, on behalf of the town’s 750 residents, he said, about how Santiago breached the public’s trust.

“She failed completely in her duties,” Meade said. “It’s an example of why people have lost faith in government.”

Meade spoke of stolen credit cards, late night transfers, false invoices submitted to the council and a scheme so complex even three audits by the state missed it.

“She was that clever, she was that good at it,” the mayor said.

Mayor Meade said some of her family members should be ashamed of themselves for what he claimed was participation in the wrongdoing.

More than a dozen apparent supporters sat in the benches behind Santiago, including family. Roughly the same number, including city council members, were on the other side of the courtroom with the mayor.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello recommended to the judge Santiago get five years, plus community custody following her release and pay various fines and fees. Restitution will be determined at a future date, he said. Masiello looked to the mayor for the preliminary number of $67,079.95.

“With the conduct in this case and the length of time it went on, we think 60 months is appropriate,” he said.

Judge Nelson Hunt agreed with the state, saying it’s his experience that almost everyone caught embezzling comes up with excuses and then apologizes.

“The jail time starts right now,” Hunt said.

Outside the courtroom, Masiello said the particular charges to which she was convicted helped the state get the amount of time it sought, and because of the sentencing guidelines, keeping the theft charges would not have resulted in a longer sentence.

Santiago started working for the central Lewis County city in August 2013 and was terminated in June.

The deputy clerk, Daydra Stewart, was confirmed by the council as acting city clerk-treasurer in July. Mayor Meade suggested they are in no hurry to make a final decision about a new clerk-treasurer.

“We’re going to let some time pass,” he said.

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For background, read “Former Mossy city clerk pleads guilty to putting city funds in  personal account” from Wednesday September 7, 2016, here