Just hang up: Impersonations of officials over telephone increasing locally

March 3rd, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Centralia police, along with the Centralia Utilities Center, are warning city utility customers about a scam involving bogus collection calls.

The utilities center has received several complaints from customers about it. Customers received a call from a male, identifying himself as “Mark Montgomery” who requests overdue payments, according to the Centralia Police Department.

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Anyone who receives such a call is urged to hang up and then call the Centralia Utilities Center at 360-330-7657. This is the only valid Centralia Utility Customer Service Center number, according to police detective Patricia Finch.

Only on rare occasions, after a statement and past due letter is sent out will a representative of the utilities center call the customer, according to Finch.

Finch said officials have learned of another residence getting a phone call from someone saying the resident was in legal trouble. Another scam, according to Finch. That one provided a business name of Tarek Fadel and a phone number of 646-247-1929.

Residents continue to report getting calls from someone claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service and demanding payment, according to Finch. That’s a scam, she indicates.

“Please do not give anyone your credit / debit card number over the phone until you have confirmed that it is legitimate,” detective Finch stated in a news release.

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Earlier this month, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office took more than 30 reports over a two-day period of citizens being phoned by someone purporting to be from the IRS and threatening to send a deputy to arrest them if they didn’t send a money order immediately.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown reminds the public that the sheriff’s office does not get involved in tax issues and also that the IRS typically contacts people via mail, not by phone.

The sheriff’s office advises if someone gets a call such as these, just simply hang up.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) earlier this month put out a warning urging taxpayers to remain on high alert.

“As the tax filing season begins, it is critical that all taxpayers continue to be wary of unsolicited telephone calls and e-mails from individuals claiming to be IRS and Treasury employees,” the Inspector General stated. “This scam has proven to be the largest of its kind that we have ever seen.”

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The callers are aggressive and relentless, and once they have your attention, they will say anything to con you out of your hard-earned cash, authorities say.

The IRS will not ask for payment using a prepaid debit card, a money order or wire a transfer, nor will they ask for a credit card number over the phone.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS asking for a payment, here’s what to do, according to Thurston County sheriff’s Lt. Cliff Ziesemer. Hang up.

If you owe federal taxes, or think you might owe taxes, hang up and call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions.

And today, the U.S. Marshals Service is warning the public of a nationwide telephone scam in which callers impersonate U.S. marshals, court officers or law enforcement officials seeking to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty.

The U.S. Marshals Service does not call anyone to arrange payment of fines over the phone for failure to appear for jury duty or any other infraction.

Officials says to be aware the fraudsters:

• May know the last four digits of the victim’s social security number.
• Can make caller ID information appear as if the IRS, or another entity, is actually calling.
• May provide badge numbers and even names of actual judges and courthouse addresses.
• Claim that hanging up the phone will cause the immediate issuance of an arrest warrant.
• Send bogus emails to support their claim
• Call back a second or third time claiming to be police or the department of motor vehicles.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

March 3rd, 2016
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Updated at 5:31 p.m.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• A burglary victim reported about 4 p.m. yesterday that someone entered their residence on the 800 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia and stole food and tobacco. The investigation continues, according to the Centralia Police Department.

SCAMMED IN CENTRALIA

• Centralia police were contacted about 6:35 p.m. yesterday by a victim at the 500 block of East Pear Street who told of being tricked into sending off a money order. The individual told police they signed up to be a secret shopper. They received a check in the mail and were requested to deposit the check into their bank account, according to the Centralia Police Department. Once it was deposited, they were asked to withdraw the money and obtain a money order and send it to a specified address, according to police. After the transaction occurred, the bank advised the victim the check was fraudulent.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Chehalis police were called about 7:15 a.m. today regarding a car prowl off the 300 block of Southwest Third Street.

DRUGS

• A 52-year-old motorist who failed to stop completely at a stop sign in Winlock yesterday, was pulled over and found to have a suspended driver’s license and then arrested for possession of methamphetamine. The Toledo-Winlock police officer asked Robert A. McGee to exit the vehicle and McGee asked if he could take off his coat, according to authorities. The officer said no. Inside the coat, the officer found a hypodermic needle containing liquid that field-tested positive for meth, charging documents allege. McGee, of Castle Rock, was booked into the Lewis County Jail and then today allowed release by the court on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, shoplifting; responses for alarm, dispute, vandalism, suspicious circumstances … and more, among than 134 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 6:15 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

March 2nd, 2016
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TWO HURT IN CENTRALIA DISPUTE

• A 41-year-old Centralia man was arrested for second-degree assault after an incident around 6:15 p.m. yesterday at the 1200 block of Woodland Avenue in Centralia that sent both him and the 38-year-old female victim to the hospital. Deputies called about a dispute in progress found him outside the home and the woman at a neighbor’s, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The woman said he had punched her in the face four or five times, then grabbed a knife and held it in a threatening manner before going outside, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect, Morgan T. Davis, had injuries that appeared self-inflicted, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said. The woman had lacerations and also bruises on her face, Brown said. Both were taken to the emergency room for treatment and then Davis was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SCRATCHED

• A 15-year-old student was arrested at Winlock High School yesterday morning after he allegedly got so upset when his phone was confiscated, he left bleeding scratches on the assistant principal’s hand trying to get it back. A deputy called just before 11 a.m. was told the phone was taken away because the teen had been using it in class, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The boy was booked into the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center for fourth-degree assault and also resisting arrest as he did not comply with the officer’s orders, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

POLICE INJURED DURING ARREST

• A 26-year-old Chehalis woman who allegedly resisted arrest and left two officers with hand injuries was booked into the Lewis County Jail for two counts of third-degree assault last night. Police were called about 7:50 p.m. about someone who wasn’t supposed to be in the area of the 600 block of Southeast Dobson Court because of a court order, according to the Chehalis Police Department. “We responded, she resisted, she was arrested and booked,” department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. The arrestee is Stephanie J. Carriere, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

• A black 1997 Honda Accord was reported stolen about 9:30 a.m. yesterday from the 1200 block of West Main Street in Centralia. It has a license plate reading AXH 8962 according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 7:30 a.m. yesterday about a 1995 Honda Accord that was stolen from the 300 block of North Oak Street and while the officer was taking the report, the car was involved in an accident so it was recovered. The car was found in a ditch on Ham Hill Road but the driver had departed the scene before police arrived, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A car found completely burned at the Meskill pit near milepost two along Meskill Road west of Chehalis and recovered yesterday turned out to have been stolen from Tacoma, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It was towed.

MISSING GUN

• A firearm was reported stolen yesterday morning from the 500 block of Silverbrook Road in Randle. The Jennings semiautomatic pistol has a broken firing pin so the loss is listed at $25, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies have a suspect in mind and an investigation is underway, according to the sheriff’s office.

MISSING MEDS

• An individual reported about noon yesterday that medication was stolen from the 100 block of Virginia Drive in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 31-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for possession of heroin after contact with an officer around 8 o’clock yesterday morning at the 1200 block of Mellen Street, according to the Centralia Police Department. Heather D. McKibben was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

TRASH ON FIRE

• Firefighters were called about 7 p.m. yesterday to Stericycle at the 800 block of Westlake Avenue in Morton for a fire in a cargo container trailer. They extinguished it, according to Lewis County Fire District 4.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 53-year-old motorist was hospitalized after a rear-end collision in Chehalis last night. Troopers responding just before 7 p.m. report two vehicles were stopped for traffic in the right turn lane of southbound Louisiana Avenue at state Route 6 and a Subaru Forester pulled forward but then yielded for another vehicle. The Chevrolet Express van behind her pulled forward striking the back of her car, according to the Washington State Patrol. Both vehicles were still drivable, according to the state patrol.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor theft, protection order violation, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, shoplifting, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more, among than 190 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 6 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

March 1st, 2016
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AUTO THEFT

• A car theft was reported just after 5 p.m. yesterday from the 1000 block of West Chestnut Street in Centralia. Missing is a 1997 green Honda Accord, according to the Centralia Police Department. It has a license plate of ACS 7024, according to police.

TRAILER SQUATTERS

• A 24-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were warned by police not to come back after a Chehalis resident found them occupying their recreational vehicle at the 300 block of Southwest James Street yesterday afternoon, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND FROM MOSSYROCK

• An officer responded about 10:40 p.m. on Saturday to the 100 block of Main Avenue in Mossyrock to take a report of the theft of a wooden jewelry cabinet with an approximate value of $200. The case is still under investigation, according to the Morton Police Department.

CAR FIRE

• Firefighters were called just before 2 p.m. yesterday when a sport utility vehicle caught fire on Interstate 5 near milepost 69 south of Napavine. The flames were confined to the engine compartment, according to Newaukum Valley Fire and Rescue.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor theft, protection order violation; responses for alarm, dispute, runaway teenager, suspicious circumstances, collision on city street … and more, among than 130 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 6:40 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

February 29th, 2016
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Updated at 5:14 p.m.

HAMMER THREAT

• A 35-year-old Centralia man was arrested after police were called about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday to the 300 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue about a person trying to take apart a bench. He was confronted and allegedly swung a hammer at people, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault was Carey R. Cosgrove, according to police.

CHURCH RANSACKED

• Chehalis police were summoned on Saturday morning to a church on the 1800 block of Southwest Snively Avenue where several windows were broken and interior doors kicked in. There was lots of blood and lots of property damage, according to the Chehalis Police Department. “We’re looking for a suspect with probably cuts on the hand and/or forearm,” department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. Things inside were rummaged through, but it’s not clear if anything was taken, Bailey said.

AUTO THEFT

• A blue 1992 Honda Accord was reported stolen from the 300 block of West Pear Street in Centralia just before 10 p.m. yesterday. It has a license plate of AJD 1851, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Police were called at 11:30 a.m. yesterday to the 400 block of South Washington Street in Centralia following the discovery someone tried to steal a pickup truck. The rear window had been pried open and an attempt was made to “force” the ignition,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 35-year-old Portland woman was booked into the Lewis County Jail for a warrant after contact with an officer about 5:20 a.m. yesterday in a car on Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis and then subsequently arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. An officer learned after the initial arrest that the BMW Shirene N. Singh had been driving was stolen from Vancouver, Wash., according to the Chehalis Police Department.

GUN GONE

• Chehalis police were called yesterday by an individual who said his firearm, holster and ammunition from his vehicle were missing after he got his vehicle serviced at the dealer on the 1900 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue.

THEFT OF MONEY

• Centralia police were called to the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue about 6:50 p.m. yesterday regarding stolen cash in the amount of $600. The investigation continues,  according to the Centralia Police Department.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called yesterday an individual who said a wallet was taken from a vehicle on the 100 block of Southwest 10th Street at about midnight and the suspect was chased but got away. Then, a missing bankcard belonging to the victim was denied when a group of five tried to use it at a local eating establishment, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Police were called to the 600 block of Southwest William Avenue in Chehalis on Friday where the owner of a vehicle reported she discovered her tires were flat and the stereo missing.

• Chehalis police were called to the 100 block of Southwest Cascade Avenue on Friday morning where a bicycle was missing from the front yard and a vehicle had been rummaged through.

DRUGS

• A 64-year-old motorist was arrested for drug possession yesterday following a traffic stop in Winlock and the discovery his license was suspended. Robert L. Love said it wasn’t his shirt when an officer discovered a baggie containing a white substance and a glass pipe inside Love’s shirt pocket, according to charging documents. A field test indicated the material was cocaine but later, when a different officer said it looked more like methamphetamine, a second field test returned positive for meth, charging documents state. Love was booked overnight into the Lewis County Jail and charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with possession of meth.

CONCEALED WEAPON VIOLATION

• Chehalis police called about 10:25 p.m. on Saturday to a report of an individual with a handgun inside a bar on Northwest Chehalis Avenue subsequently arrested 41-year-old Alberto F. Rodriguez for weapon prohibited in certain places as well as unlawful carrying or handling of a dangerous weapon, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual,  other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor assault, giving false information to police officer, minor in possession-consumption of alcohol; responses for alarm, dispute, disorderly person, collision on city street, suspicious circumstances; complaint of threat via Facebook, neighbor dog barking all night long … and more, among than 129 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 6:45 a.m. today.

News brief: Name released of pedestrian hit by Amtrak near Tenino

February 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The man who died when he was struck by a train south of Tenino on Friday was 41-year-old Gary F. Mann, according to the Thurston County Coroner’s Office.

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Coroner Gary Warnock said Mann had no fixed address but was known to camp out in the Tenino area. He has family locally, according to Warnock.

Deputies were called at 3:52 p.m. on Friday to the area of the 17200 block off state Route 507, told by the Amtrak engineer that the train hit a person who stepped out from between two freight cars parked on a parallel track, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office

The engineer didn’t have time to activate the horn or brakes, and he was killed instantly, sheriff’s Lt. Cliff Ziesemer said.

Warnock indicated he is hoping to view footage from the train’s cameras, to help him determine if the death was an accident or suicide.
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For background, read “News brief: Man struck, killed by train near Tenino” from Friday February 26, 2016, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

February 28th, 2016
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RUCKUS AT RAILROAD STATION

• A Centralia man was arrested yesterday after he allegedly approached an acquaintance at the Centralia train depot, demanded money from him and then punched the 25-year-old in the face when he had no money to give him. Officers called about 11:50 a.m. to the 200 block of Railroad Avenue learned the victim ended up with a broken tooth, according to the Centralia Police Department. They contacted 44-year-old Brett A Morris at his residence and arrested him for attempted robbery. Morris was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

LICENSE PLATE RECOVERED

• A 27-year-old Bucoda resident was arrested for third-degree possession of stolen property yesterday after it was discovered the license plates on the vehicle he was driving were stolen. The plates were missing from Yakima, according to the Centralia Police Department. Joshua W Bonagofsky was booked into the Lewis County, also for first-degree driving with a suspended license, after contact with an officer about 4:50 p.m. at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.

BYSTANDERS DETAIN MOTORIST AFTER WRECK

• A 34-year-old Centralia man who drove into a light pole and a parked vehicle at the 700 block of South Gold Street reportedly tried to leave but was held by bystanders until officers arrived about 1 p.m. yesterday. Joseph E. Leyva was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual,  other incidents such as arrests for warrants, drugs, assault, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, collision, misdemeanor theft, suspicious circumstances … and more, among than 127 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 6:45 a.m. today.