Top ranking deputy to lead Evergreen college’s police force

August 30th, 2016
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Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Stacy Brown is resigning to take a new job.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office’s chief civil deputy is moving up, taking a position as chief of police services at Evergreen State College.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown came to the sheriff’s office just over 20 years ago, working as a patrol deputy, a detective for five years with a specialty in sex crimes and child abuse, a sergeant overseeing the detective division and more.

Since 2009, Brown has been responsible for the special services bureau, and is part of the sheriff’s command staff.

Next, Brown will lead a department with nine commissioned law enforcement officers at Evergreen, a 1,000-acre campus in Olympia with more than 4,000 students.

The announcement was made yesterday. Her last day is Sept. 12.

“It is bittersweet, I will miss everyone here so much,” Brown said. “Lewis County feels like a second home.”

Brown, who resides in Thurston County, said she’s looking forward to working with a great new team.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Evergreen in 2006, while working full time, so she already has an idea of what the culture is like, she said.

Police Services at Evergreen has its own dispatch center and Brown will also oversee campus parking services, with several employees.

Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza asked his employees yesterday to join him in congratulating Brown and thanking her for her dedicated service.

“Chief Brown has done an excellent job in a myriad of positions during her tenure with our office, and has led our special services bureau with pride, professionalism, and dedication,” Snaza stated in an email message.

The departure of the top-ranking female deputy leaves the sheriff’s office with no female deputies. Until Deputy Sue Shannon left last year after more than 20 years as a patrol deputy, the two women were the only commissioned law enforcement officers in the organization.

The now-46-year-old started her career in public safety as a dispatcher for the Washington State Patrol. She hired on at the sheriff’s office in May 1996 and has worked for three sheriffs.

In her current position, which she is leaving behind, she has
a wide range of duties, conducted along the 13 staff members she supervises.

The special services bureau includes the sheriff’s office’s records division, the property and evidence division and the civil division.

“We’re responsible for all the evictions in the county and all the civil processes,” Brown said. “Like writs of execution, when someone owes money and someone can go after real or personal property.”

Brown and her people do the work involved in satisfying court judgements, whether trying to obtain a child to return to the rightful parent, or seizing property and holding sheriff’s auctions. They also process gun permits and handle fingerprinting.

Perhaps her best-recognized role has been public information officer for the past nine years, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.

Brown said today she had thought she would retire from the sheriff’s office, but she’s very excited about the next step in her career.

“I just hope people understand how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to serve the community, from the bottom of my heart,” she said.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

August 30th, 2016
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•••

Updated at 12:39 p.m.

CHURCH VICTIMIZED BY THEFT

• A 34-foot travel trailer donated for a church’s use vanished from its parking lot early yesterday at the 200 block of U.S. Highway 12 south of Chehalis. An unknown person or persons removed the 1994 Carli sometime between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The value is listed at approximately $8,000, according to the sheriff’s office.

• Someone kicked in a door to a garage-shop of a church on the 2500 block of South Market Boulevard and stole a Stihl gas operated weed eater, according to a report made to Chehalis police just before 11 a.m. yesterday.

AUTO THEFT

• Chehalis police were called about 2:15 p.m. yesterday following the discovery a Honda Civic was missing from a parking lot on Hampe Way and then located the car around 6 p.m. at the 600 block of Southeast Dobson Court. Its stereo, speaker and amplifier had been removed, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

THEFT AT WORK SITE

• Chehalis police were called just before 8 a.m. yesterday to a job site at the 2500 block of North National Avenue where four pumps were stolen over the weekend. The loss is $4,000, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Two of them were silver and red Honda pumps and the other two were two-inch blue colored pumps, according to police.

FRAUD

• An Oregon resident called Chehalis police yesterday afternoon to report their bank card was used at Walgreens on Northwest Louisiana Avenue to purchase a gift card for more than $300. An officer learned a similar transaction also took place in Tumwater, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DISORDERLY

• Michael A. Kellogg, 45 of Centralia, was arrested about 12:10 a.m. today for interfering with a health care facility at the 900 block of South Scheuber Road in Centralia. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• Centralia police arrested a 30-year-old Chehalis resident for possession of methamphetamine after contact with him about 10:15 p.m. yesterday at the 200 block of Jackson Street. Christopher D. Buck was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 24-year-old Chehalis man was arrested just before 11 a.m. yesterday after contact with an officer at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. Matthew M Morris was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Two young people were injured when their car collided with the center barrier then rolled coming to rest on the right hand shoulder, on its top, last night along southbound Interstate 5 near the Winlock-Toledo interchange. Carlos Y. Batista and Martelli L. White, both 19 years old and from Lacey, were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the Washington State Patrol. Troopers responding about 11:15 p.m. noted the 1997 Toyota Celica was totaled. Batista was allegedly traveling too fast and was arrested for second-degree negligent driving, according to the state patrol.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, probation violation, third-degree theft, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, third-degree malicious mischief, misdemeanor domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more among 180 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Former Chehalis Tribal official sentenced for defrauding housing program

August 30th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The former head of the Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in jail and two years of supervised release following his conviction for collecting downpayment assistance from the authority knowing he didn’t qualify because he already owned a home.

Hector Ray Canales, Sr., 55, had pleaded guilty to conversion of tribal funds in May, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

At Monday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton in Tacoma said Canales had betrayed the trust of his tribe, according to office spokesperson Emily Langlie.

According to records filed in the case, Canales engaged in a “sham” transaction to transfer his existing ownership to a relative, so that he could collect $37,400 from the program which he used to pay for a second home in the Chehalis area.

Langlie stated that Canales used his position in the tribe and his knowledge of the internal fiscal controls to illegally collect the down payment funds. The fraud meant that other eligible Chehalis Tribal members did not get down payment assistance, Langlie stated.

Canales was the chairman of the board of the  Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority.

The case was investigated by the Chehalis Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The judge ordered him to pay $37,400 in restitution. Canales has since repaid just over $24,000 to the tribe.

News brief: Forest fire visible from Rochester, Tumwater contained

August 30th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Members of West Thurston Regional Fire Authority are assisting with water support this morning as firefighters with the state Department of Natural Resources mop up after a blaze in the Capitol Forest that grew to about three acres.

Crews were dispatched about 9:40 p.m. yesterday on reports a large fire could be seen from Rochester and Tumwater, according to Fire Chief Robert Scott.

“Crews arrived to find the fire located off the 8200 Road north of Capitol Peak near the Noshka area,” Scott stated in a news release. “The fire was initially one and a half acres in heavy logging slash and grew to approximately three acres before containment.”

Local firefighters worked the scene until the early morning hours and turned it over to DNR, according to Scott.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

August 29th, 2016
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•••

Updated at 7:11 p.m.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 55-year-old Winlock resident who wrecked his motorcycle off the 200 block of Knowles Road in Winlock early Saturday morning sustained head injuries, broken bones and abrasions along his body, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding about 1:35 a.m. cited Corey L. Smith for driving under the influence but he was released at the hospital so he could be treated, according to the sheriff’s office. His 1992 Harley Davidson sustained major damage, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

• A 20-year-old Toledo resident sustained minor injuries but was arrested for driving under the influence after his 1999 BMW 323 came to rest on its side against a tree along the 700 block of Tucker Road outside Toledo. A deputy responding just after midnight on Friday noted Edgar B. Clairez had been wearing a seatbelt but his car had rolled and was totaled, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance and not booked into jail, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

• A 39-year-old Centralia woman was arrested for driving under the influence as well as hit and run after allegedly crossing lanes and striking an oncoming vehicle at the 1700 block of Cooks Hill Road in Centralia. Officers responding to the approximately 9:30 p.m. call on Friday report Consuelo Paulin-Garcia fled the scene but was located a short time later, according to the Centralia Police Department. Two victims were injured, according to police, with one treated for labor contractions and the other for neck pain. Paulin-Garcia was booked into the Lewis County Jail, but is being released with no felony charges filed pending further investigation.

• Centralia police were called about 11:30 a.m. on Friday about a hit and run accident at Harrison Avenue and Interstate 5 in which the fleeing vehicle was described as a gold-colored pickup towing a trailer full of lawn care equipment.

• An officer called about 11:20 a.m. on Friday about a car versus bicyclist accident at the 200 block of West Main Street in Chehalis was unable to locate the suspect vehicle but did find a male pushing a bicycle who said he didn’t know anything about it, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PROSECUTORS: DETAINEE SPITS, KICKS OFFICER

• A 43-year-old Bucoda man put in the back of a patrol car for an outstanding warrant was arrested for third-degree assault after allegedly kicking a Napavine police officer in the lower stomach and belt area. The incident occurred after the man allegedly spit on the side of the police vehicle and was “escorted to the ground” when Officer Noel Shields believed he was about to spit on him, according to court documents. John P. Beck was booked into the Lewis County Jail on Friday night, according to its online roster, but charging documents state the incident near McDonalds on Kirkland Road happened yesterday. Beck was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with third-degree assault and his bail was set at $10,000

MAN IN ROAD, COVERED WITH SHEET

• Centralia officers called just before 1 o’clock this morning about a man standing in the roadway blocking traffic, with a large sheet covering himself, ended up using a Taser to take him in to custody. Police arriving to the area at North Pearl and West Fourth streets report he charged them and when they tried to talk with him, he made threats and was aggressive, according to the Centralia Police Department. A Taser was deployed and Shane M. Schafer, 45, of Centralia, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

WATER BALLOON INCIDENTS PROMPT CHASE

• An 18-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for reckless driving last night after allegedly attempting to flee a victim of a water-ballooning. Officers called about 10:35 p.m. to Main and Silver streets in Centralia detained Hodges C. Bailey and two under-18 youth for allegedly striking numerous vehicles in both Centralia and Chehalis with the water-filled balloons, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• A gold 1998 Mazda 626 was reported stolen about 8:35 a.m. on Saturday from the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

FIREARMS THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 11:15 a.m. yesterday to a home on the 800 block of West Plum Street to take a report of a stolen pistol.

• Police were called about a 30.06 rifle stolen in a burglary at a residence on the 700 block of Vienna Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 11 p.m. on Saturday.

CANDLE TAKEN

• A 32-year-old Winlock woman allegedly stole an LED candle from a chapel at the 900 block of South Scheuber Road in Centralia on Friday afternoon. Lucia D. Spross was arrested for third-degree theft and then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

TIRES TAKEN

• Chehalis police were called to the 500 block of Southwest William Avenue at about 2 p.m. on Friday to take a report that five tires were stolen from behind the home early that morning or during the night.

FUNNY MONEY

• A counterfeit $100 bill was spent at a retail store on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 7:10 a.m. on Saturday. A report of a similar instance at the same location was made on Friday afternoon, according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• An officer was called about 8:10 .m. yesterday for a vehicle prowl at the 1700 block of Ham Hill Road in Centralia. Missing was a GPS unit, tools and binoculars, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called about 10:15 a.m. yesterday to the 100 block of North Washington Avenue for a broken window to a vehicle. Just before 10:30 a.m., a report of a broken windshield was made from the 1300 block of Rose Street, and just before 11 a.m., a victim reported the same at the 200 block of North Washington Avenue, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called for malicious mischief to a vehicle on Saturday night at the 200 block of West Second Street, the 400 block of West Hanson Street, the 1400 block of Belmont Avenue and the 900 block of Marion Street.

DRUGS

• Austin J. Hines, 20 of Centralia, was arrested and booked for felony possession of marijuana after contact with police about 11:25 p.m. on Saturday at Centralia College Boulevard and Cedar Street in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, underage drinking, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, possession of marijuana, possession of liquor by minor; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, third-degree theft, hit and run, harassment, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, graffiti to a fence and tree and locomotive … and more among 477 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Centralia resident booked for allegedly shooting at moving truck on Main Street

August 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Police believe a 27-year-old man fired a shot from a gas station parking lot at a passing vehicle on Main Street, which missed but may have lodged in a building across the street early yesterday morning in Chehalis.

Officers were called to the report of a shooting about 3:20 a.m. yesterday, located the suspect truck and stopped it at the 400 block of North Market Boulevard, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

Department spokesperson Linda Bailey said the motive is unclear but police are interviewing the occupants of the targeted vehicle and have arrested the passenger of the suspect vehicle.

He is Matthew W. Harader, age 27, of Centralia, according to police. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault and for possession of methamphetamine.

The driver of the truck he was in, an adult male, was not arrested, Bailey said.

Officers believe Harder fired from the parking lot of the 76 gas station at the 600 block of Main Street, according to Bailey. No injuries were reported, according to Bailey.

The case is still under investigation, but Harder is tentatively scheduled to go before a judge this afternoon to face criminal charges.

Read about optimism for Thurston Sheriff Snaza’s long road to recovery …

August 27th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The Olympian reports Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza remains in critical condition following the motorcycle accident that left him with a punctured lung, a lacerated kidney, a severely broken left arm and a damaged right hand.

Snaza underwent surgery Wednesday to fuse a bone in his neck.

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Sheriff John Snaza

Undersheriff Tim Braniff said at a press conference yesterday afternoon the 51-year-old is strong and “he’ll be back, according to Olympian news reporter Amelia Dickson.

The sheriff’s office informed the public on Wednesday morning they learned Snaza the evening before was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Sanders County, Montana, while off duty. The sheriff sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

He is the twin brother of Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza.

By Thursday, there were positive responses to the doctor’s request of movement, according to sheriff’s Lt. Tim Rudloff.

Rudloff has been keeping the public informed throughout by posting news releases on the department’s Facebook page.

Braniff told the gathering Snaza has made significant improvements with breathing on his own, but was still being assisted by a ventilator because of the internal injuries.

“He has a long road to recovery, and that recovery will be aided by the outpouring of support shown thus far,” the undersheriff said.

Braniff is second-in command and running the office in the sheriff’s absence.

Snaza was first elected sheriff in 2010.
•••

Read “Undersheriff on Sheriff Snaza: ‘He is strong, and he’ll be back’” from The Olympian on Friday August 26, 2016, here

For background, read “Breaking news: Thurston Sheriff Snaza seriously hurt in motorcycle wreck” from Wednesday August 24, 2016, here