Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

February 1st, 2016
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Updated at 5:48 p.m.

INDECENT EXPOSURE NEAR HIGH SCHOOL

• A 79-year-old Chehalis man was arrested for allegedly exposing himself from the doorway of a home near W.F. West High School to girls who drove by on Friday. Police were called about 11:45 a.m. after the high school students reported what they saw at the 500 block of Southwest 16th Street, according to the Chehalis Police Department. When they went by the first time he allegedly waved them over and when they passed again, they observed him through a glass door, according to police. Harold W. White was arrested for indecent exposure, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said.

BREAK-IN

• A deputy took a report of a residential burglary at the 200 block of Guerrier Road yesterday in which Xboxes and CDs were stolen, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

CAR PROWL

• Chehalis police were called yesterday to Southeast Third Street off Market Boulevard in Chehalis regarding a vehicle prowl in which someone broke a window and took a lunch box. The thief may have mistaken it for a purse because of its size and where it was located, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Police were called yesterday morning about a car prowl at on Southwest Fifth Street in Chehalis in which two CDs were stolen from an unlocked vehicle.

• Chehalis police were called to a vehicle prowl on Southwest 11th Street near Market Boulevard on Friday morning in which someone rummaged through a glove compartment during the night and stole an mp3 player. The vehicle had been left unlocked, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 46-year-old woman arrested yesterday for driving under the influence following a single car rollover accident on U.S. Highway 12 in Glenoma was also arrested and subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance, one and half pills of something called Alprazolam. Prosecutors alleged Candy A. Core had the drug without a prescription. According to charging documents, the Randle resident said her friend gave her the pills but she did not take them. She also told a trooper who asked about a pink straw with white residue from her pocket that she had used methamphetamine two days earlier, according to the allegations. Core and her passenger were reportedly uninjured. She was booked into the Lewis County Jail and after appearing before a judge this afternoon, allowed release on a $5,000 signature bond. Core has no prior criminal convictions, lawyers said today.

• A 25-year-old woman was arrested on Saturday for possession of a controlled substance after a deputy responded to Gee Cees truck stop near Vader to check on her because she was reportedly acting odd. A baggie of suspected heroin was found on the floor where she had been sitting and Samantha D. Weekly, from Eugene, Oregon, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• A 35-year-old inmate who allegedly had tucked baggies of marijuana in his undershorts, found during a strip search, was arrested on Friday for possession of drugs by a prisoner. A deputy responded on Friday afternoon to the Lewis County Jail and arrested Aaron G. Stubbs, from Seattle, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It appears from the jail roster he was brought to the Chehalis facility the day before for an outstanding warrant.

STEALING GASOLINE

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning that approximately 25 gallons of fuel was stolen from two trucks parked at Cardinal Glass on the 500 block of Avery Road outside of Winlock a week ago Sunday.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting; responses for alarm, dispute, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft … and more.

Police: Drug house arrests this morning in Chehalis

February 1st, 2016
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Two people are detained in Chehalis this morning in connection with drug case.

Updated at 5:24 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County Regional SWAT Team paid a visit to a Chehalis home this morning, arresting one man for allegedly selling drugs from the house plus two other individuals.

“This residence has been an issue for us and neighboring houses,” Chehalis Police Department Chief Glenn Schaffer said in a written statement. “We want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate drug activity and we will aggressively deal with these issues in the City of Chehalis.”

A joint news release issued by Chehalis police, Centralia police and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office says a search warrant was obtained after a lengthy investigation.

Officers served the warrant near the 100 block of Southwest 10th Street at about 8:50 a.m., according to the agencies.

Arrested were Russell S. Foster, 46, for three counts of delivery of methamphetamine and Mary K. West, 51, for endangerment with controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine.

Twenty-nine-year-old Seth T. Lloyd, was taken into custody for a felony warrant from the state Department of Corrections.

The search of the home and outbuildings by the Joint Narcotics Task Force allegedly turned up a generator stolen from a December burglary on Jackson Highway as well as an unspecified amount of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers added a potential charge of maintaining a dwelling for drug purposes against West, who is also known as Mary K. Craig.

All three Chehalis residents were booked into the Lewis County Jail.

News brief: Kidnapping investigation leads to Salkum resident

February 1st, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 25-year-old Salkum man was arrested yesterday in connection with the alleged kidnapping and rape of a Longview woman that came to light on Saturday night in Centralia.

Officers contacted the woman about 8:25 p.m. on Saturday in a parking lot at the 500 block of Harrison Avenue who said she’d been abducted in Longview and dropped off in Centralia.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said this morning the incident was reported to them about two hours later and following their investigation, they arrested Joel L. Kaech, 25, from Salkum and booked him into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape and felony harassment.

Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said it began in Longview and continued at the Spiffy’s parking lot on U.S. Highway 12 and possibly involved another location on U.S. Highway 12.

The incidents are still under investigation, according to Brown.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

January 31st, 2016
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KIDNAPPING INVESTIGATION

• Centralia police report officers contacted a woman about 8:25 p.m. yesterday in a parking lot at the 500 block of Harrison Avenue who said she’d been kidnapped in Longview and dropped off in Centralia. Officers contacted the Longview Police Department to take over the investigation and it remains under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT FROM DOOR

• Someone stole a wreath off the front door of a home on the 1200 block of G Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 9:45 p.m. yesterday.

MEDS MISSING

• Centralia police were called to the 1400 block of Harrison Avenue regarding the theft of medication on Friday.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police responded to an abandoned car at the 1000 block of Alder Street on Friday which turned out to have been stolen.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Centralia police were called to the 600 block of Richmond Avenue on Friday regarding an overnight car prowl. Someone stole a small amount of change from the ashtray, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstructing, misdemeanor assault, protection order violation, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft… and more.

News brief: Centralia man convicted in sledge hammer to face incident

January 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Lewis County jury took three hours to find a 60-year-old man guilty in the case of a Centralia man whose nose was smashed by a small sledge hammer when a neighbor got upset about his loud music.

The neighbor, Morris R. Keith Jr., was convicted yesterday of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon. The jury found him not guilty of first-degree burglary –  police said the assault took place in the victim’s garage – and of felony harassment.

Lewis County Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey allowed Keith to remain free on $25,000 bail until he is sentenced.

Keith was arrested the night of May 31 after the events at the 1300 block of Central Boulevard. Court documents recounted the doctor at the emergency room saying it was the worst broken nose he’d ever seen.

The trial began on Tuesday and ended yesterday with the mixed verdict.

Keith is expected back in court on Thursday when the court will schedule a date for him to be sentenced.
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For background, read “Sledge hammer to face incident draws serious charges” from Tuesday June 2, 2015, here

Another town meeting: Got a question for the sheriff, the prosecutor?

January 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The sheriff and the prosecutor will be traveling to Pe Ell to talk with members of the public, answer their questions and listen to their concerns.

It’s the third in a series of “Town Hall” meetings held around the county during the past year.

Joining Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer the evening of Feb. 11 will be Pe Ell Town Marshal Mike Hartnett and Pe Ell School District Superintendent Kyle MacDonald.

Snaza says the gatherings have been an excellent medium for open discussions.

“We need active partnerships with the citizens we serve to help us address issues in their community that they feel are important,” Snaza states in a news release.

Prosecutor Meyer hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity.

“I want people to know how we are doing, what we are doing, and why,” Meyer states. “Some of the decisions the staff and I have to make on cases can be tough, but I am open to questions about our process and our decisions.”

What: Town Meeting with Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza and Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer
Where: Pe Ell School commons, Pe Ell
When: Thursday Feb. 11, 2016
Time: 7 p.m.
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For background, read “Sheriff, prosecutor talk about changes in crime fighting efforts” from Sunday March 29, 2015, here

News brief: Still one opening on Chehalis Civil Service Commission

January 29th, 2016

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The city of Chehalis continues to attempt to fill a vacancy on its Civil Service Commission.

Appointments to the commission are made by the city manager, subject to the approval of the city council, and are generally six-year terms.

The Civil Service Commission basically oversee the examination process, appointments, promotions, transfers, reinstatements, demotions, suspensions and discharge of police and fire department employees, according to City Clerk Judy Schave.

Application forms are available on the city’s website, or can be picked up at City Hall located at 350 N Market Blvd. Rm 101.