Update: Wanted driver who allegedly fled Winlock accident scene arrested

August 10th, 2016
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Ford pickup truck and 2007 Acura at scene of early morning wreck, July 24, 2016. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

Updated at 8:08 a.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Authorities yesterday sought a nationwide arrest warrant for the man believed to have walked away from a head-on collision that left a Winlock woman severely injured last month.

A passing citizen who came upon the two-vehicle wreck on the 200 block of North Military Road in Winlock called 911 about 5:30 the morning of July 24, a Sunday.

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Found: Robert A. Hicks

The victim told deputies that before the other driver left, he tried once to open her door, asked her if she could move and said he would call police or an ambulance. The 50-year-old Winlock woman was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital with broken bones in her face and back.

Her Ford pickup and the 2007 Acura four-door, with Utah license plates, were both totaled. The car was impounded.

“She’s got a long road to recovery,” Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza said yesterday. “We want this guy bad.”

The sheriff’s office was looking for 24-year-old Robert A. Hicks.

Snaza met with David Rose yesterday of Q13’s Washington’s Most Wanted television show to talk about the case.

Hicks was located overnight by Olympia police, based on tips from Washington’s Most Wanted. He was arrested for vehicular assault plus hit and run, sheriff’s Cmdr. Dusty Breen said this morning.

They had reason to think Hicks may have been staying with someone in the Winlock area. He’s lived in King County and before that, in Florida, according to Snaza.

•••

For background, read “News brief: Victim found injured, alone at scene of two-vehicle collision in Winlock” from Monday July 25, 2016, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

August 9th, 2016
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BURGLARY AND THEFT

• A deputy took a report overnight of a safe missing from a residence on the 100 block of U.S. Highway 12 south of Chehalis. The 56-year-old victim said there were $5,000 worth of silver coins inside it, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. There were no signs of forced entry, but he has a roommate who comes and goes and could have left the door unlocked, Cmdr. Dusty Breen said.

• A deputy responded about 10:30 a.m. yesterday for a burglary to a garage at the 100 block of Alder Street in Pe Ell. Sometime since Saturday, someone stole a Stihl chainsaw, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A deputy was called about 3:30 a.m. yesterday to the 400 block of Coal Creek Road in Chehalis following the discovery someone had broken into a church’s maintenance shed and stole a blower, weed trimmer, chainsaw and pressure washer, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

AUTO THEFT

• A 36-year-old Kelso resident was arrested early yesterday morning for theft of a motor vehicle after an Audi Quattro stolen from the AM/PM on the 100 block of Interstate Avenue in Chehalis. Travis L. Gray and the car were located in the area by a police dog and he was taken in for treatment of a dog bite, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Because he stayed at the hospital for some other medical issues, he was not booked into jail, according to police.

• A deputy was called about 6:40 p.m. yesterday regarding a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer stolen during the day from where it was parked, and locked, at an apartment complex on the 3100 block of Ives Road in Centralia.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called yesterday evening and told someone broke into a vehicle while at was parked in a lot on Northwest Louisiana Avenue two to three weeks earlier and stole prescription medications.

• Centralia police were called about 1:20 p.m. yesterday regarding a vehicle prowl at the 1400 block of Alexander Street. Sometime during the previous several days, a credit card was taken, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called just before 10 a.m. yesterday to the parking lot at the 700 block of Northwest Liberty Place where an individual reported their vehicle was rummaged through that morning, with an estimated $2,400 of property stolen. Among the missing items were two pairs of sunglasses, prescription glasses, the registration and a bag containing various brands of high-end men’s jeans, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called just before 8 a.m. yesterday to the parking lot at the 700 block of Northwest Liberty Place where a victim told them someone had broken out a vehicle’s passenger side window and stolen a white London Fog briefcase and a GPS device. It happened sometime since 3 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Cash was stolen from a vehicle parked at the 700 block of Sky Meadows Drive in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 7:45 a.m. yesterday.

VANDALISM

• Chehalis police were called yesterday afternoon about someone damaging the lock of a post office box at the 200 block of Northwest Cascade Avenue in Chehalis.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 30-year-old Centralia man was severely injured when his Toyota pickup truck struck a light pole at the 1600 block of Bishop Road in Chehalis last night. A deputy responding about 8:23 p.m. to the scene determined speed was a factor and also noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Zachary W. Gallagher suffered head trauma and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to the sheriff’s office. The case is being referred to prosecutors for a charge of driving under the influence, Cmdr. Dusty Breen said.

• A too-tall load traveling on Interstate 5 scraped the underside of the northbound side of the Chamber Way overpass yesterday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation. It was minor and there was no structural damage, DOT tweeted. It was a little more than two weeks ago when a too-tall load struck the bridge on the southbound side, causing so much damage that workers had to tear down half the overpass. Last Thursday, a temporary span was installed to be used by motorists until replacement components can be designed and put into place.

HIKERS LOST AND FOUND

• A pair of hikers who got lost about 15 miles south of Morton were located yesterday morning, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies got a report about 6:25 p.m. on Sunday and were able to talk with the men who had cell service, according to the sheriff’s office. The 911 center provided information on their latitude and longitude which showed they were near the Goat Trail trailhead near Landers Creek in an area belonging to Port Blakely and the U.S. Forest Service, Cmdr. Dusty Breen said. Responders found their vehicle, but because of darkness, told the men to stay put and that they would return in the morning, Breen said. When they were found and brought out, the 35-year-old and 36-year-old from Portland were fine, according to Breen.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, graffiti, hit and run, shoplifting, third-degree theft, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street, dog alone in parked vehicle … and more among 164 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 cockroach killer booked

August 9th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Firefighters and police called to a small fire in an apartment on the 300 block of North Tower Avenue in Centralia yesterday morning learned a resident was trying to kill cockroaches with an improvised flame thrower.

They found light smoke in the area and a little pile of burned papers on the bathroom floor, which had burned itself out, according to the Centralia Police Department. It was just before 9 a.m.

He said he was using the bug spray Off and a cigarette lighter, but caught some paper on fire, Officer John Panco said.

He got scared, ran out and yelled at others to get out of the building, Panco said. There was no damage, but police arrested Calvin J. Byrd, 24, for reckless burning and booked him into the Lewis County Jail, he said.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

August 8th, 2016
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•••

Updated at 2:30 p.m.

CAR THEFTS, RIGHT AND LEFT

• A 1999 Honda Civic reported stolen just after 6 a.m. today from the 800 block of K Street in Centralia was found a short time later in Chehalis, at the 300 block of Southwest 10th Street, according to police. The investigation continues, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called just after 5:30 a.m. today about a red Audi Quattro stolen from 100 block of Interstate Avenue. A suspect was contacted by a police dog a short time later, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Further details are not yet available, a department spokesperson said.

• Chehalis police were called about 4:50 a.m. today for a red Toyota Corolla just stolen from a gas station on the 100 block of Interstate Avenue.

• Centralia police were called about 4:45 a.m. today regarding a red 1999 Chevrolet Blazer stolen from the 800 block of Hamilton Avenue. It has a license plate reading AJN 9529, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were contacted yesterday by an individual whose green 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was stolen from the parking lot at K-Mart on the 1200 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue. The victim thought they lost their car keys, went home to get a spare set and when they returned, the car was gone, at about 3 p.m., according to the Chehalis Police Department.

•  A white 1992 Acura Integra reported stolen about 2:45 p.m. yesterday from the 100 block of West High Street in Centralia has been recovered, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A blue 1992 Honda Accord was reported stolen from the 700 block of Euclid Way in Centralia about 10:25 a.m. yesterday. It has a license plate reading ABR 4412, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called to the 1000 block of Eckerson Road about 9 a.m. on Saturday to take a report of a gold 1997 Honda Accord being stolen. It has a license plate read  RAJ 0758, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Nakisha J. Richardson was booked into the Lewis County Jail yesterday for theft of a motor vehicle for allegedly taking her teenage relative’s vehicle without permission from the 1400 block of Ferrier Road in Winlock. It was discovered about 10:50 a.m. on Saturday and she was arrested after she returned with the vehicle about 10:35 a.m. yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

BURGLARY ARREST

• A 39-year-old man was arrested for second-degree burglary after contact with police on Saturday in a case associated with the 1100 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia. Adam S. Gonzalez, of Parkland, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department. Prosecutors today declined to file the felony charge.

FRAUD

• A business on the 500 block of North Market Boulevard in Chehalis contacted police on Friday about checks it issued which were forged for just over $2,600. They spoke to an individual who might know something about it who reported their wallet was stolen, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police were called at noon yesterday to the 900 block of East Locust Street in Centralia where a purse was stolen out of a vehicle.

• Centralia police were called about 6:45 a.m. yesterday regarding clothing stolen from a travel trailer parked at the 100 block of North Saxon Street.

• Chehalis police were called Friday about a vehicle prowl at the 400 block of Southwest Parkland Drive. The victim found the door ajar and discovered a wallet was missing from her purse, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• Two teenagers were injured when the motorcycle they were traveling on struck a deer on state Route 7 near Mineral on Saturday night. Troopers called to milepost 15 just after 10 p.m. report Seth A. Clark, 18, and his 16-year-old passenger were transported to Morton General Hospital. The Ashford residents had been wearing helmets, however Clark didn’t have a motorcycle endorsement and his license was suspended, according to the Washington State Patrol. His 2009 Kawasaki KLX250 was towed, according to the state patrol.

• A deputy responding about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday to a vehicle that wrecked in a ditch on the 600 block of Green Mountain Road in Mossyrock arrested the driver for driving under the influence. David J. Flanigan, 57, of Mossyrock, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 47-year-old woman from Astoria, Oregon was injured when she lost control of her Harley Davidson and skidded sideways into a guard rail at the 500 block of Wildwood Road on Saturday. She was traveling with other motorcyclists when they came to an intersection with a logging road, and her back tire began to skip, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding about 12:15 p.m. noted she had several possible broken bones including arm, ribs, legs and ankle, according to the sheriff’s office. She also had back pain, Cmdr. Dusty Breen said.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, malicious mischief, driving under the influence, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, hit and run, vandalism, third-degree theft, disorderly person, runaway juvenile, receipt of counterfeit bill, suspicious circumstances, missing person located, kids playing catch in street, drunks walking in street, drunks sprawled on sidewalk, collision on city street, dogs alone in parked vehicles, passerby picking flower from neighbor’s yard … and more among 273 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 48-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

News brief: Seven injured in wreck at Mary’s Corner

August 7th, 2016
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Members of Lewis County Fire Districts 5, 15, 2 and 8 along with Lewis County Medic One responded for five vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 12. / Courtesy photo by Alicia Pentecost

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Three vehicles were totaled in a multiple-vehicle rear-end chain reaction collision that sent seven people to the hospital this afternoon on U.S. Highway 12 about two miles east of Interstate 5.

Troopers called at 2:14 p.m. found that Jacob I. Hadaller, 29, of Mossyrock, was westbound approaching Jackson Highway where four pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles were stopped for the traffic light.

Hadaller’s 2006 Dodge Ram collided with the rear of a 2011 Dodge Dakota, pushing it into a 2016 Nissan Rogue SUV, which was shoved into a 1998 Ford Expedition SUV, which in turn ran into the back of a 2006 Ford Escape SUV, according to the Washington State Patrol

Firefighters and medics from Lewis County Fire District 5 responded, assisted by personnel from four other departments.

District 5 Lt. Laura Hanson indicated the seven patients were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Hadaller was reportedly uninjured but cited for second-degree negligent driving, according to the state patrol.

The intersection is commonly known as Mary’s Corner.

The driver of the Dodge Dakota, Martin K. Fisher, 49, of Olympia was also uninjured, but three of his passengers were. They are ages 15, 15, and 51, all from Olympia.

The driver of the Nissan Rogue, Diane K. Wilkie, 61, Ilwaco, was hospitalized as was the driver of the Ford Expedition, William G. Dix, 32, Centralia, according to the state patrol. Dix’s passenger Amanda L. Ailes, 39, Salkum, was also injured.

General L. Cothren, 71, Winlock, was driving the Ford Escape and reportedly unhurt. His passenger, Gregg Robinson, 65, Winlock, was transported.

Only the Expedition and the Escape were able to be driven from the scene, the investigating trooper reports.

The incident was blamed on inattention.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

August 6th, 2016
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•••

DOGNAPPED

• Centralia police were called just before 10:30 p.m. yesterday about a dog stolen from its yard on the 1400 block of Oxford Avenue. The 7-year-old male American Bully is brown and white and was taken sometime after 7 p.m., according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 8 a.m. yesterday regarding the theft of property from a home on the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue. A family member is suspected, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were contacted just before 8 a.m. yesterday about the theft of property from a residence. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 11:30 a.m. yesterday to the 200 block of Tacoma Avenue to take a report of an identity theft. The case is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PEDESTRIAN RESCUED FROM MUD HOLE

• Firefighters rescued a man last night who was found stuck in mud in a deep ditch between K-Mart and the Twin City Town Center in Chehalis. They were called around 8 p.m. after the man had yelled for help to people walking near K-Mart, according to the Chehalis Fire Department. The passersby had tried to get him out and couldn’t, Firefighter Kevin Reynolds said. “He didn’t have any injuries but was definitely cold, intoxicated and had been there awhile,” Reynolds said. Firefighters put a strap around him and pulled him out. Medics took him to the hospital, because of possible hypothermia, he said.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

•  A 21-year-old Centralia resident was arrested overnight for driving under the influence after driving off the roadway and rolling his vehicle. Officers responding about 1:35 a.m. to the 1200 block of North Gold Street booked Bryson D. Baird into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor assault, driving under the influence, driving under the influence, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 210 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

WSP: Driver flees vehicle after traffic stop, leaving behind children

August 5th, 2016
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Edward A. Power is brought before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – He didn’t want to go to jail.

A  man who allegedly sped away from an I-5  traffic stop at speeds as fast as 100 mph, continued driving after spike strips flattened all four of his tires, exited his van and jumped a guard rail near Chamber of Commerce Way, was tased by a trooper and taken into custody early yesterday morning.

Inside his van, he had left behind six passengers, which included three young children.

Edward A. Power, 44, was booked into the Lewis County Jail and charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher this afternoon asked a judge to set bail at $25,000, noting there was some confusion as to the man’s identity when he was arrested.

“It looks like he has criminal history in Georgia of theft and bail jumping,” Meagher said.

Temporary defense attorney Kevin Nelson appealed for a lower amount of bail, saying Power has an address on Mount Vista Road in Centralia.

While he’s self employed earning about $1,000 month, Nelson said, he supports his wife and six children on that income. Power qualified for a court appointed lawyer.

Judge Nelson Hunt set bail at $15,000.

The events began about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday when a trooper approaching a construction zone on Interstate 5 near milepost 62 observed a northbound van passing vehicles on the shoulder, including the trooper’s, according to charging documents.

Charging documents continue, giving the following account of what transpired:

When pulled over, the trooper had him make arrangements for a licensed driver to pick up his vehicle, because neither he nor his adult female passenger produced a driver’s license, the documents relate. The trooper saw two teenage-looking children in the back seat.

The driver showed a plastic identification card from a Mississippi community college and eventually an ID card from Mississippi with the name Edward Power Jr.

The issue and expiration dates didn’t match information the trooper got back from that state’s department of licensing, and other information suggested Power was suspended in Pennsylvania.

When the trooper asked him to step out the vehicle, Power stated, “I am not going to jail,” put the van into drive and sped off.

A Lewis County sheriff’s deputy deployed spike strips near Chehalis’s Main Street interchange, and the van ran over them and slowed but didn’t stop.

The trooper, concerned about an upcoming second construction zone, performed a PIT maneuver, causing the vehicle to stop partly blocking one lane.

That’s when Power fled on foot. Charging documents indicate the trooper didn’t realize there were three young children in the far back seat during the initial encounter.

Power was transported to the hospital for unspecified medical clearance, before being booked into the Lewis County Jail.

His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 11.