Target of Centralia drug-related search warrant relocated to Thurston County

July 8th, 2016
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Brandon M. Perrott faces a judge today charged with four counts of delivery of methamphetamine.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Bail was set at $25,000 for the suspect that drug detectives were looking for when they raided a south Centralia house yesterday.

Brandon M. Perrott, 33, however, had moved out the day before.

A search warrant was served at 7 a.m., at the 1000 block of South Tower Avenue by the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team with the assistance of the Lewis County Regional SWAT Team, the Sheriff’s Enforcement Team and personnel with the state Department of Corrections.

Several people were detained, but only three were arrested. Law enforcement officers made their fourth arrest when shortly afterward they found Perrott at his new home on Reeder Road outside Tenino near Maytown in Thurston County.

Perrott was wanted for allegedly four times since early May selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant from the Tower Avenue residence while he was living there with his girlfriend and her family.

Her mother Penny Martin was among those in Lewis County Superior Court this afternoon when the arrestees were brought before a judge.

Martin said they’d suspected what Perrott was up to and told him to leave. She was distraught over the condition of her home, after law enforcement officers conducted their search.

“Every room the officers went through, they broke things,” she said. “They opened every dresser drawer, and threw them down the hallway.”

She still can’t find her car keys, Martin said, noting one pile left of her belongings was taller than her bed.

Authorities posted the house uninhabitable, attributing the move to numerous code violations found inside and outside. Martin said they were in the process of remodeling the house they are purchasing.

Martin’s husband was arrested as when asked, he told police he had a methamphetamine pipe in his bedroom and gave them consent to search, according to court documents. Police found two meth pipes with residue and baggies with meth.

They also found two guns – a Winchester Model 70 and a Savage Arms Model 111 – which he is prohibited from having because of prior felony convictions.

Patrick N. Martin, 50, was charged today with possession of methamphetamine and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $10,000.

Thirty-one-year-old Jennifer N. Morillon, who rents a room at the home told police she had drugs in her pocket and in her bedroom they found a digital scale and numerous plastic bags with residue. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Her bail was set with a $5,000 unsecured bond.

Penny Martin’s son, 28-year-old Spencer R. Barney, was also arrested as police found in his bedroom an Windham AR-15 rifle and a Springfield 22 rifle, according to court documents. He too has prior felonies, and was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. His bail was set at $10,000.

Perrott was charged with four counts of delivery of methamphetamine.

All four of the defendants are unemployed and qualified for court appointed lawyers, according to temporary defense attorney Joely O’Rourke.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey was initially visibly perturbed when told the confidential informant involved has in the past been represented by all but two of the county’s contract defense attorneys. It would mean finding outside lawyers for the defendants to avoid conflicts, he said, raising his voice.

Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello then said he’d charged Martin, Morillon and Barney as co-defendants with each other, but they were not involved in Perrott’s case.

Masiello acknowledged outside the courtroom the three arrests at the house were more or less byproducts of the investigation and search warrant meant for Perrott.

Penny Martin didn’t make excuses for her husband or her son, but couldn’t understand the necessity for police to break things.

“When they came, we didn’t fight,” she said. “If my family’s done something wrong, they’ll have their day in court.”

Arraignments for all four of the defendants are scheduled for next Thursday.
•••

For background, read “News brief: Drugs, guns seized at south Centralia residence” from Thursday July 7, 2016, here

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The aftermath of a search warrant on South Tower Avenue. / Courtesy photo Penny Martin

Guest column: Mourning deaths of fellow officers with mixed emotions and a pledge

July 8th, 2016

By Rob Snaza
Lewis County Sheriff

As your sheriff, I can’t help but express my sadness for those who were injured and courageously lost their lives in the line of duty last night in Dallas.

What we do know is that these officers were killed and injured simply for the badges they pin over their hearts, doing what they swore to uphold, law and order and keeping their community safe.

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Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza

We mourn the loss of our fellow officers and I am praying for their families, friends, and loved ones, and all the people of Dallas affected by this horrifically tragic event as they struggle to cope and understand.

Reflecting, I am truly overcome with mixed emotions, feelings of anger, bewilderment and disgust, to tears of sadness and helplessness, but most of all, emotions of what is next for us in public service.

It’s so very important for everyone to know just how proud I am of the men and women who work for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the phenomenally important work they do, day in and day out, protecting and serving our community. I am also proud of all those who put on the badge and commit themselves to serve their communities across this great nation, may we never forget who and why we serve.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office motto is, “Public Safety through Professional Service,” and our folks live that motto day in and day out, remaining committed to it without pause or fail.

These tragic events happening across the country cause me to think of where we are at in today’s society, what we can do better, and what needs to be collaboratively addressed.

I know that together we can and will continue to make a difference.

I believe in the freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest, but I refuse to condone any sort of violence associated with these rights we enjoy.

The First Amendment gives the freedom of speech, but nowhere does it say to cause violence, destruction of property, mayhem, or worse.

What I do believe in is, “All Lives Matter,” regardless of ethnicity, religion, or beliefs. We are sworn to protect and serve all citizens.

As a career law enforcement officer, some 25 years ago I took that oath and have never deviated from it.

As your sheriff, I pledge to you that the men and women of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office are and always will be committed to serving our communities and providing the very best we can in law enforcement as we strive to provide public safety through professional service.

Thank you for giving me the honor to serve as your sheriff, and I thank all the women and men of the sheriff’s office for choosing to serve our community.

Sirens : Daily police and fire roundup

July 8th, 2016
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•••

POLICE: BUSTED FOR SELLING GRANDPA’S TV

• A 21-year-old Centralia resident was arrested yesterday for allegedly attempting to sell his grandparents’ plasma television on the phone app “Offer Up”. Nolan R. Bartel allegedly sneaked into their home on the 100 block of Sunnyside Drive yesterday to meet with a potential buyer, which turned out to be a pair of Centralia police detectives, according to court documents. Police had already been contacted on Wednesday after Bartel’s parents saw the item for sale on Offer Up, according to charging documents. He reportedly admitted going into his grandparents home Wednesday to snap a photo of the TV so he could post it. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail yesterday for residential burglary and first-degree trafficking in stolen property but charged in Lewis County Superior Court today with only the first offense. His bail was set at $5,000.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Centralia police were called just before 3 p.m. yesterday for a 1994 Honda stolen from the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue. It turned up a few blocks away but its stereo was missing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A utility trailer was stolen from the 600 block of South Ash Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 4:15 p.m. yesterday.

CAR PROWL

• Police were called to the 300 block of North Washington Avenue in Centralia at 12:15 p.m. yesterday about an overnight vehicle prowl. Cash was stolen, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called just before 9 a.m. yesterday about a vehicle prowl at the 1800 block of Shamrock Drive. Taken were oars and oar locks, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Police were called about 5:35 a.m. today to the 1600 block of North Pearl Street where an unknown person had damaged a motorcycle by striking it with a hard object.

• An individual at the 800 block of South Tower Avenue in Centralia called police about 2:25 p.m. yesterday to report three window panes were shot with BBs.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, trespassing, providing false information to police officer; responses for alarm, dispute, hit and run, third-degree theft, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more, among 153 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 8 a.m. today.

More to come

News brief: Close call when arthritic woman preps for target practice

July 8th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 70-year-old woman preparing to practice shooting with her husband and a friend was injured yesterday when she accidentally fired a pistol she thought was unloaded inside her Toledo-area home.

She suffers from arthritis and was unsure if she could still shoot due to limited use of her fingers, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said while the woman was walking from her bedroom to the front door, she pulled the trigger and either a fragment of the hollow-point bullet or a sharp piece of the magazine she was holding in her other hand caused a laceration to her left palm.

The gunshot mangled the pistol magazine, Brown said.

It happened at the 100 block of Kinzie Lane northeast of Toledo around 2 p.m. and a deputy met up with the woman in the emergency room at Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office labeled the incident a negligent discharge of a weapon.

The woman was released from the hospital after her hand was cleaned and bandaged, Brown said. No stitches were required, Brown said.

Mental evaluation ordered for McDonald’s restaurant stabbing suspect

July 7th, 2016
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The McDonald’s restaurant in Centralia was the scene of a bloody stabbing during the noon hour on Tuesday.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – When police officers contacted Calvin J. Beck, he was bleeding from his face, acting strange and made numerous statements that didn’t make sense.

So say prosecutors about the 50-year-old accused of stabbing a fellow customer in the Centralia McDonalds restaurant earlier this week.

Authorities said Beck had been in line acting belligerent to counter employees and one patron told him to leave, which he did. But he allegedly walked back into the lobby and stabbed the individual who had confronted him.

“There were two guys holding him down and another guy met me at the door,” Centralia Police Department Sgt. Kurt Reichert said of his arrival to the 1200 block of Lum Road following the approximately noontime call on Tuesday. “It was a bloody mess.”

A folding knife with a four-inch blade lay on the counter, where it was placed by the civilians who disarmed the suspect.

The victim, Keith Mohoric, was stabbed twice in the abdomen, according to police. but took part in jumping his attacker and holding him for police.

Mohoric was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital and admitted into surgery for his injuries, according to prosecutors. A hospital spokesperson this morning said Mohoric is in good condition.

Beck also was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries he received when he crashed into a window during the fight, police said.

Beck was booked into the Lewis County Jail later that afternoon and charged yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree assault.

Defense attorney Joely O’Rourke asked the judge to postpone the hearing, so a court order for a competency evaluation could be entered. Judge Nelson Hunt agreed and said Beck should be held overnight without bail.

O’Rourke said she didn’t think he comprehended the proceedings.

“I don’t believe he understands the elements of the crime,” she said.

Beck, who has an Olympia address listed in his court file, has a prior conviction for second-degree assault, according to prosecutors. It’s from 1991.

Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead got the order for a mental health evaluation signed yesterday.

Specialists from Western State Hospital are expected to visit the defendant at the jail to conduct their examination and lawyers will likely get their report back next week, Halstead said.

Judge Hunt appointed Centralia attorney Don Blair to represent Beck.
•••

For background, read “News brief: Police investigate stabbing in Centralia McDonald’s restaurant lobby” from Tuesday July 5, 2016, here

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Calvin J. Beck appeared briefly before a judge in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday.

News brief: Drugs, guns seized at south Centralia residence

July 7th, 2016
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Law enforcement brings out their big rigs this morning in Centralia. / Courtesy photo by Felicia Reyes

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two people were arrested at a Centralia home this morning and a third taken into custody elsewhere in the culmination of a month-long drug investigation, according to authorities.

Methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and several weapons were seized from the residence at the 1000 block of South Tower Avenue, according to a news release sent on behalf of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.

JNET is comprised of detectives with the Centralia and Chehalis police departments and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

A search warrant was served at 7 a.m., with the assistance of the Lewis County Regional SWAT Team, the Sheriff’s Enforcement Team and personnel with the state Department of Corrections.

Jennifer N. Morillon, 31, of Centralia, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Patrick N. Martin, 50, also of Centralia, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and for two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

Shortly after the warrant was served, a 33-year-old Centralia man was picked up at a home off Reeder Road in Maytown. Brandon M. Perrot was in possession of two handguns which were seized since he is a convicted felon, according to the news release.  He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance/methamphetamine.

The Tower Avenue house has been posted uninhabitable due to numerous code violations found inside and outside.

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Several law enforcement officers took part in arrests on South Tower Avenue. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Sirens : Daily police and fire roundup

July 7th, 2016
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•••

SMALL-TIME BURGLARIES

• Centralia police were called just after 8 a.m. yesterday to the 2000 block of Industrial Drive where several buildings of a business were broken into during the night. The only thing initially noted as missing was a lighter, according to the Centralia Police Department. About an hour and a half later, an officer was called to a business on the 1700 block of Industrial Drive for another break-in during the night. Stolen was a 12-pack of soda, bolt cutters and a camera, according to police.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called at 1 p.m. yesterday to the 500 block of Northeast Washington Avenue about a vehicle prowl. The initial report indicated a yellow tool box was taken, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 12:30 p.m. yesterday about a vehicle prowl at the 1600 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

• An officer was called about 8:50 a.m. yesterday to the 200 block of West Walnut Street in Centralia where someone had prowled a vehicle parked inside a garage.

• Police were called to a vehicle prowl at the 300 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia yesterday morning. Someone got into the unlocked vehicle during the night and stole some change, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• Chehalis police were called to the 1100 block of South Market Boulevard at noon yesterday after a parent found green vegetable material inside a teenage child’s backpack.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, trip permit violation, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, littering, harassment, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances … and more, among 181 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today … plus multi-arrest drug investigation on South Tower Avenue in Centralia this morning. Info to follow.