Posts Tagged ‘By Sharyn L. Decker’

Tacoma murder suspect arrested in Centralia

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Acting on an anonymous tip, Centralia police yesterday arrested a 22-year-old man wanted on a first-degree murder warrant related to the death of an 18-year-old in Tacoma earlier this month.

Several officers at about 1:30 p.m. conducted a building search at a business on the 500 block of North Tower Avenue and found Alberto Cole Sarmiento hiding under some stairs, according to the Centralia Police Department.

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Alberto Colt-Sarmiento

He was taken into custody at gunpoint, but without incident, Officer Angie Humphrey said.

The suspect, identified as Alberto “Taxer” Colt-Sarmiento by Tacoma police, is believed to have set up an ambush the night of Nov. 2, near 44th Street and East R Street in the Salishan neighborhood of east Tacoma.

According to Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers, as the victim and his two friends exited their vehicle, an unidentified shooter jumped out of the bushes and fired multiple shots toward them. Victim Elijah Crawford was struck once and died from his wounds; the second victim was struck in the shoulder and face and survived; the third friend ran away without being hit.

Crime Stoppers reported one of the surviving victims had an ongoing dispute with Colt-Sarmiento, and that detectives believe Colt-Sarmiento set up the ambush but was not the shooter.

Centralia police yesterday further assisted the Tacoma Police Department yesterday by recovering evidence related to the homicide.

Humphrey said she didn’t know what that evidence was but did say no gun was found on the suspect yesterday.

She said she understood Colt-Sarmiento has a relative at the bakery where he was hiding.

Colt-Sarmiento was turned over to Tacoma police after his arrest.

Feds: Winlock mill owner admits illegal buying and selling of specialty maple “music wood”

Monday, November 16th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A Winlock lumber mill owner pleaded guilty today to federal violations for trafficking in specialty wood cut on national forest land.

In his plea agreement, Harold Clause Kupers, admitted he suspected the big leaf maple had been illegally taken from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, but purchased it and made sales out-of-state of nearly $500,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Courtesy photo by U.S. Attorney’s Office

The so-called figured maple is particularly valuable for making  musical instruments and, for example, just one shipment to PRS Guitars in Maryland from Kupers’ J & L Tonewoods sold for $21,395, according to authorities.

Kupers, 48, made his pleas for violations of the Lacey Act,  in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today, according to the  announcement from U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.

According to the plea agreement, in April 2012, law enforcement officers with the U.S. Forest Service met with him and specifically informed him that he was required by Washington law to review specialized forest products permits for all persons from whom he purchased maple, Hayes stated in a news release.

Despite that, he admitted, he continued to buy the wood without requiring the harvesters to show the permit until March 2014.

Kupers faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least $159,000 in restitution when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle on February 8.

Three men suspected of harvesting the wood were charged with theft of government property and damaging government property.

Ryan Justice, 28, of Randle, has pleaded guilty to theft of government property and is scheduled for sentencing on December 7.

James Miller, 36, of Morton, and Kevin Mullins, 56, of Packwood, are scheduled for trial on January 12.
•••

For background, read “Feds: Tree thieves and mill owner indicted for trafficking specialty maple from Gifford Pinchot” from Friday August 7, 2015, here

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, November 16th, 2015
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•••

Updated

INTO THE DRINK

• A 27-year-old motorist who allegedly sped away at about 100 mph from a police car that was turning around ended up taking out about 50 feet of guard rail and crashing into a pond last night at the 4700 block of Galvin Road west of Centralia. Luckily his 1998 Dodge Durango landed wheels down and he was able to extricate himself and climb out of the water and up to he road, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It began when a Centralia police officer said the vehicle had passed him at a high rate of speed on Galvin Road, according to the sheriff’s office. A deputy arriving to investigate the approximately 9:40 p.m. wreck issued Jonathan A. Jamerson, of Centralia, a citation for reckless driving and an infraction for no insurance, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said. Jamerson was wet and cold but unhurt, Brown said. His vehicle was totaled.

AUTO THEFT

• A 21-year-old Onalaska resident was arrested after deputies surrounded Eagle Truck Stop on the 100 block of Estep Road in Napavine on Saturday, following a tip he was going to try to sell a stolen Honda car there. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports Jim G. McPherson showed up with the car and was taken into custody. He reportedly admitted he’d stolen the green 1995 Honda Accord a few days earlier from F Street in Centralia and planned to sell it for $150. McPherson was booked into the Lewis County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and attempted trafficking of a stolen vehicle, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

• Someone stole a silver 1988 Toyota Camry from the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia, according to a report made to police just after 7 p.m. yesterday.

BURGLARY

• Centralia police were called to the 1100 block of South Tower Avenue at 1 p.m. yesterday regarding a break-in to a garage in which several bikes and bike parts were taken. Most of the items were recovered a short distance away, according to the Centralia Police Department. The investigation is ongoing.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Police were called about 7:50 p.m. on Saturday about a car prowl at the 300 block of Spruce Street in Centralia. The interior was damaged, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:30 a.m. on Friday regarding a vehicle prowl on the 400 block of North Market Boulevard in which the battery was stolen.

SEXAUL ASSAULT

• Centralia police were called about 11:20 p.m. yesterday to take a report of a rape by the victim’s acquaintance in a case associated with a residence on Hillkress Street. The case is under investigation.

OTHER ASSAULT

• Officers called about 6:45 p.m. on Saturday to the 300 block of East State Street in Mossyrock about an assault arrested a 26-year-old man. Anthony M. Westmoreland was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault, according to the Morton Police Department.

• A 24-year-old Chehalis-area woman who called 911 to say her boyfriend hit her in the head reportedly resisted arrest, was tased and subsequently arrested for third-degree assault on Saturday morning. A deputy called about 11:50 a.m. to the 100 block of Harold Drive reported Kimberly E. Killian became angry and began to walk away, during the investigation, but had two outstanding warrants, according to the according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Killian allegedly pulled away, began to grab the deputy’s arm and tried to strike him in the head and chest area. The first attempt with a Taser failed and Killian was “escorted to the ground,” where she pulled on the deputy’s uniform, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said. A second deputy arrived and attempted to help detain her, but was unsuccessful until she was tased a second time, Brown said. Killian was booked into the Lewis County Jail for third-degree assault as one of the deputies was injured, and also for resisting arrest, Brown said.

VANDALISM

• Officers called just after 3 o’clock yesterday morning about a vandalism in progress at the 200 block of East Van Buren Street in Centralia arrived to find a woman’s vehicle with its windshield and headlights broken. Parked in front of the vehicle was her husband, Andrew J. Filer, 26, who allegedly admitted causing the damage because he was angry at her, according to the Centralia Police Department. Filer was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree malicious mischief, according to police.

EXPLOSIVE EXPERTS SUMMONED

• A 91-year-old former logger called the sheriff’s office to let them know as he was packing up to move out of his Toledo-area home, he discovered he had an old box of blasting caps, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded on Saturday morning to the 300 block of Toledo-Vader Road, and were joined by the Washington State Patrol, who disposed of the caps on site, according to the sheriff’s office. The box contained about 50 blasting caps, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor assault, protection order violation, failure to transfer vehicle title, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, graffiti, harassment, suspicious person, misdemeanor theft, possible drunk driver … and more.

News brief: Driver rescued from nearly submerged vehicle by Glenoma resident

Monday, November 16th, 2015
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Water still covers the roadway on Sunday at state Route 131 just south of Randle. / Courtesy photo by Laci McEachin

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A 75-year-old woman was pulled from her water-filled car by another motorist after she drove around a road closed sign in Randle on Saturday night.

The Glenoma man likely saved the woman from drowning, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said this morning.

The woman was headed northbound on Forest Service Road 25 when she encountered the roadway covered with water approaching state Route 131 near Skinner Road, Chief Deputy Stacy Brown said this morning.

The Vancouver woman went around the warning sign and her Toyota Scion went off the road and became partially submerged, Brown said.

It was about 9:30 p.m. when a vehicle coming up the 25 road behind her saw what happened and the 25-year-old Glenoma man jumped into the water. He was able to drag her out of her car to safety, Brown said.

The passenger compartment by then was nearly filled, according to Brown.

The victim was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

The Randle area was among those that experienced what weather forecasters described as minor flooding this weekend, and another rain storm could serve up even higher waters in the next few days.

News brief: Wind, rain storm on the horizon

Monday, November 16th, 2015
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The Lincoln Creek Road area northwest of Centralia sees some sun on Sunday. / Courtesy photo by Sandi Spencer

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A new flood watch has been issued for late tonight through late Wednesday night, with a warm wet weather system headed into the area.

The National Weather Service also says prepare for a windstorm tomorrow.

This storm could bring heavy rain to the Cascade and Olympic mountains for up to 36 hours with a snow level rising to as high as 7000 feet, according to the weather service. Rainfall amounts of five to eight inches with locally higher amounts are expected.

Because of the recent and ongoing flooding, rivers are not likely to have receded to normal levels before this storm hits, forecasters said. Some rivers could rise to higher levels than they have in recent days.

Minor flooding has been occurring along the Chehalis River near Grand Mound since yesterday, according to the NWS.

The threat of landslides will increase as well.

Additionally, a winter storm warning remains in effect for East Lewis County with accumulations of one to two feet of new snow likely by late tonight in the mountain passes, before turning to rain.

A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but
flooding is not imminent or occurring. The NWS advises the public to monitor their latest forecasts and be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a warning is issued
•••

Follow the forecasts and watch for weather advisories and warnings:

The link for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Seattle can be found here and also always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “Weather Alerts, forecasts”

The link for the National Weather Service’s river level observation and forecast for Western Washington can be found here and also  always on the right hand column of this page, labeled “River levels”

Arson at Chehalis school under investigation

Saturday, November 14th, 2015

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A fire alarm at W.F. West High School in Chehalis yesterday sent students outside and drew firefighters, and subsequently police who are investigating an arson.

Smoke filled the boys’ bathroom and drifted into the adjacent commons area, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

Fire Investigator Derrick Paul said a janitor used a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, before leaving the building.

The fire department called at 1:05 p.m. summoned police and, along with the school resource officer, they spent about two hours investigating at the scene, he said.

It appeared someone ignited the plastic bag that contained the soap in a dispenser, he said. The damage was limited to maybe about $700 for cleanup, but the potential for something much worse was there, Paul said.

The walls are masonry, but the ceiling is not.

“It could have been bad, there’s a reason we’re investigating for a criminal act,” Paul said. “This didn’t just affect one person; it disrupted school for an hour and put the kids outside in the cold and rain.”

Because the school has cameras, investigators have two suspects, Paul said this morning.

Nobody was arrested, yet, he said.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Saturday, November 14th, 2015
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•••

CENTRALIA RESIDENT ASSAULTED BY TRAVELING SALESMAN

• An officer was called at 5:45 p.m. yesterday about an assault by a traveling salesman at the 1400 block of Jensen Avenue in Centralia. The subject was sexually aggressive toward a female customer inside her residence, according to the Centralia Police Department. Earlier this week, Centralia police warned the public to be cautious about door-to-door salespeople and advised that residents should not let them inside. The alert put out by Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald focused on the fact that in the past, officers have found that some of those they contacted had extensive criminal histories and used the job as a ruse to collect personal information for fraudulent purposes later. The incident on Jensen Avenue is under investigation, according to police.

ON THE ROAD

• The driver of a small pickup that collided with a small tree along the 500 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia yesterday was found in cardiac arrest, according to authorities. Rescuers called at 4:20 p.m. to the wreck near Dutch Bros. Coffee stand transported the 67-year-old man to Providence Centralia Hospital, where they were unable to revive him, according to the police and fire departments. Centralia police report the conclusion was the medical incident caused the crash.

• A woman in her 20s was injured when a small passenger car collided with a barrier in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near the Harrison Avenue interchange in Centralia last night. Firefighters responding at 10 p.m. reported her condition as stable and that she was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital. The male occupant of the car, about her same age, was unhurt, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called about 10:45 a.m. yesterday about a counterfeit money order being passed at the 500 block of Harrison Avenue. There has been a suspect identified and the case is still under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT AT MOTEL

• An officer took a report overnight of the theft of personal items and a television from an empty motel room at the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants,  misdemeanor assault, protection order violation, misdemeanor theft; responses for out-of-control teenager, collision on city street … and more.