Posts Tagged ‘news reporter’

Names released in two weekend Lewis County deaths

Tuesday, May 1st, 2018

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The Lewis County coroner says 21-year-old Austin Smith died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

The manner of death has been labeled a homicide, but the sheriff’s office yesterday said they were investigating the circumstances which a witness said was an accidental discharge by Smith’s 20-year-old brother who was handling a firearm at a residence on the 500 block of Third Street in Pe Ell.

Aid and deputies were called to the home just before 9 a.m. on Saturday, but Smith died enroute to the hospital. Both men are residents of Pe Ell.

Coroner Warren McLeod also released the name of the 46-year-old man found dead by his girlfriend in the 300 block of Mandy Road outside Toledo near an Interstate 5 overpass about noon on Saturday.

Christopher E. Torkelson, 46, of Toledo, died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head, neck chest and back, according to McLeod.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help to figure out what happened. They said the girlfriend told them  she had last seen him late Friday night into Saturday morning and was looking for him.

A determination on his manner of death won’t come until after further investigation and the results of toxicology tests, according to McLeod.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, May 1st, 2018
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Updated

BARN BURGLED

• A deputy was called about 8 a.m. yesterday for a burglary to a barn at the 1100 block of South Military Road in Winlock in which more than $3,200 worth of equipment was stolen sometime since last Wednesday. Stolen were four Stihl weed eaters and three Husqvarna chainsaws. One chainsaw was a 555 model with serial number of 151300427; the other two were 550 models with serial numbers of 153900670 and 132501052, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. There was no forced entry into the building, Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey said.

• Centralia police were called about 3:45 p.m. yesterday to the 900 block of South Scheuber Road to take a report of an unknown person going through unlocked offices and stealing credit card and check books.

• An Apple computer was reported stolen from inside a residence on the 3000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia about 2:45 p.m. yesterday, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Police were called to the 700 block of North Pearl Street in Centralia about 1:20 p.m. yesterday for graffiti spray painted on the side of a house.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 23-year-old Packwood resident suffered a possible head injury when he lost control of his vehicle on a sweeping curve, went airborne and landed in the trees late yesterday afternoon at the 200 block of Skate Creek Road South in Packwood. The 1989 Suzuki passenger car sustained major damage, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding to the approximately 5 p.m. wreck issued an infraction for wheels off the roadway, according to the sheriff’s office. It appeared the driver was traveling too fast, Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey said. The driver was transported to Morton General Hospital and kept overnight for observation, Kimsey said.

• Chehalis police were called at 4 p.m. yesterday after an episode near Main Street and Interstate 5 of road rage in which the two vehicles exited at the milepost 76 interchange and one driver walked up to the window of the other and threatened to assault him. The two then went their separate ways, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, civil issue, hit and run, misdemeanor theft, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances … and more among 165 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Woman finds boyfriend’s body below I-5 bridge

Monday, April 30th, 2018

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help to determine what happened after a 46-year-old man was found dead in the 300 block of Mandy Road outside Toledo near an Interstate 5 overpass.

A 41-year-old Toledo woman called 911 just after noon on Saturday to say she had been looking for her boyfriend and found him dead there, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The I-5 overpass crosses over Mandy Road in South Lewis County.

The girlfriend said she had last seen him late Friday night into Saturday morning, according to the sheriff’s office.

An autopsy is pending, sheriff’s Chief Dusty Breen said today.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone with possible information on the incident to call the sheriff’s office at 360-748-9286 or Lewis County Communications at 360-740-1105.

Fatal shooting of man by brother in Pe Ell under investigation

Monday, April 30th, 2018

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 21-year-old man is dead after being shot by his younger brother in Pe Ell, in a weekend incident a witness said was unintentional.

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the shooting they were notified of at 8:55 a.m. on Saturday at a residence on the 500 block of Third Street, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

In interviews, deputies were told the 20-year-old was handling a firearm when it discharged, striking the victim, according to the sheriff’s office. The 21-year-old succumbed to his injuries during transport by aid to the hospital, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

The 911 caller was a 26-year-old Pe Ell woman who was visiting the 21-year-old and his 20-year-old brother, according to Breen.

The sheriff’s office did not release any names, but said the brothers are residents of Pe Ell.

Anyone with possible information on the incident is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 360-748-9286 or Lewis County Communications at 360-740-1105.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, April 30th, 2018
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Updated

DRUGS

• A 43-year-old Castle Rock man was arrested following a traffic stop in which a small blue bag seen on the driver’s side floor board turned out to contain a half ounce of methamphetamine, scales and $447 cash. A deputy had pulled Justin T. Monaghan over for multiple moving violations, southbound on Interstate 5 near the exit 76 interchange at about 4:50 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Monaghan refused to get out of the vehicle and smelled of intoxicants, according to the sheriff’s office. He was arrested for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act with intent to deliver was booked into the Lewis County Jail.

DIAPER BAG STOLEN

• Chehalis police were called about 12:10 p.m. on Sunday to the 1100 block of South Market Boulevard where someone had smashed a rear window of a vehicle and taken a diaper bag.

NAKED PICS

• Chehalis police were called about 4:20 p.m. on Friday by a parent saying someone had threatened to share nude photos of a teenage girl, if she didn’t send more pictures. The parent and/or the alleged victim however decided they didn’t want to pursue it further, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATION

• Chehalis police were called to the 300 block of Southwest Third Street about 3:20 p.m. on Sunday where they investigated alleged sexual contact between a 17-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl. A case is being forwarded to prosecutors for evaluation of charges, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

BUSINESS LICENSE

• The Morton Police Department reports today an officer served Roy’s Motel/ JDs Hotel and RV Park on the 100 block of Second Street with paperwork terminating the business license related to allegations of operating in a manner which endangers the public welfare or safety last Wednesday just before 2 p.m.

WARRANT

• Officers arrested Bryan W. Olson, 50, of Morton for an outstanding warrant about 7:25 p.m. on Saturday after a short foot pursuit near the intersection of First Street and Collar Avenue in Morton, according to the Morton Police Department. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, trespassing, shoplifting, fourth-degree domestic assault, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, civil issue, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft, suicidal person, suspicious circumstances … and more among 135 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Sunday, April 29th, 2018
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•••

Updated

POOR SPORT

• Several spectators helped subdue a man after he allegedly walked onto the field during a little league game, threatened a coach and while being escorted off, pushed a woman and tried to assault a man on Saturday afternoon at the 2000 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia. Officers called about 5:40 p.m. took custody of Maalgeney R. Denetclaw, 42 of Centralia, and booked him into the Lewis County Jail for harassment and two counts of fourth-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A Lewis County District Court judge and bystanders intervened and restrained a man who allegedly struck a lawyer in the head during a proceeding in the courtroom on Thursday morning. Sheriff’s deputies and Chehalis police responded about 9:35 a.m. and arrested the Tenino man for third-degree assault, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Edward L. Danzer, 63, from Tenino, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. The 57-year-old victim attorney from Olympia had soreness, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

LUGGAGE LIFTED

• Centralia police were called at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday to the 700 block of Harrison Avenue where clothing and a suit case were reported stolen from a room at a motel. The suspect was known to the victims, according to the Centralia Police Department. The case is under investigation awaiting further evidence, according to police.

CAR PROWL

• Two purses were stolen from a vehicle at the 200 block of East Main Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

• An individual reported about 6:20 a.m. on Friday that someone stole her purse from her vehicle at the 1600 block of Military Road in Centralia sometime during the night.

FAKE NAME

• A case for identity theft was referred to prosecutors regarding a 33-year-old man who provided a name other than his own when contacted by police just after 1 a.m. on Saturday at the 100 block of North Railroad Avenue in Centralia. Robert L. Jones, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for an outstanding felony warrant, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 51-year-old woman picked up on an outstanding warrant just after 2 p.m. on Saturday at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia allegedly gave a family member’s name as her own, had a pipe on her and was subsequently arrested for identity theft and possession of methamphetamine. Tanya M. Henderson, of Burien, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called to the 1700 block of Taylor Street just after 6 p.m. on Saturday to take a report of a tire slashed sometime during the previous several days.

• An unknown subject damaged a glass door on an electric fireplace at a business on the 1200 block of Lum Road in Centralia, according to a report made to police just before 9 p.m. on Friday.

NOT STOLEN

• A vehicle that had been reported stolen to Lakewood police was recovered about 11 a.m. on Thursday at the 1400 block of South Gold Street and it was discovered that it had been repossessed.

WINLOCK BARN LOST TO FIRE

• A barn, a bunkhouse and their contents were destroyed by a fire on the 100 block of Morton Road east of Winlock on Friday morning. Crews called at 8:26 a.m. were joined by personnel from four neighboring fire departments, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. Firefighters initiated a defensive attack due to heavy fire conditions and structural instability, according to District 15 Fire Lt. Patrick Jacobson. The blaze was under control by 9:11 a.m. but units were on the scene until noon checking for and extinguishing hot spots, according to Jacobson. The cause is under investigation.

BIG RIG HAULING STARBUCKS PRODUCT AND MASS DRUGS

• Bail was set at $1 million for a truck driver and passenger detained by local drug detectives and found to have 126 pounds of methamphetamine in their sleeping berth, along with 2.4 pounds of suspected heroin, several thousand Oxycodone pills and a few grams of cocaine. Cmdr. Pat Fitzgerald of the Centralia Police Department states in a press release that on Thursday, members of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team and members of the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on a blue 1996 Freightliner tractor and refrigerator trailer bearing California license plates. The truck was hauling Starbuck’s products between California and Spokane. Fitzgerald said suspicious activity on the part of the two men led to a request for a drug-sniffing K-9. No contraband was found in the trailer and none of the food product in the trailer was exposed or compromised, according to Fitzgerald. The owners made arrangements to retrieve the load. It was subsequently transferred to another truck and continued on its way. Booked into the Lewis County Jail on several drug charges were 22-year-old Carlos Alejandro Luna-Rodriguez of Mexicali B.C. Mexico, and his passenger, 62 year old Bernardo Olivas-Leyva from Fontana, California, according to Fitzgerald.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, trespassing, harassment, hit and run, reckless driving, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, fourth-degree domestic assault; responses for alarm, dispute, trespassing, civil issue, shoplifting, vehicle collision, disorderly person, misdemeanor assault, suspicious circumstances, protection order violation … and more among 481 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 72-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.

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Barn on Morton Road in Winlock goes up in flames. / Courtesy photo from Lewis County Fire District 15

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JNET and sheriff’s deputies confiscate large amount of drugs from sleeper berth in semi truck. / Courtesy photo

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, April 26th, 2018
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THEFT, THEFT, THEFT

• A green 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck was reported stolen from in front of the owner’s apartment on the 2900 block of Mount Vista Road in Centralia just before 4 a.m. today. The vehicle has a license plate reading B66778P, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were sent to the 400 block of Southeast Cascade Avenue about 6 p.m. yesterday for a burglary.

• Money was reported stolen from a drawer at the 1300 block of Alexander Street in Centralia at about 4:15 p.m. yesterday.

• Centralia police were called to the 900 block of South Scheuber Road just before noon yesterday to take a report of the theft of a purse.

• Chehalis police were called to the 100 block of Southeast Washington Avenue just after 11 a.m. yesterday to take a report of a stolen lawn mower.

• Police were called just before 8:30 a.m. yesterday for an individual reporting someone entered their house at the 100 block of Jalyn Street in Centralia during the night and stealing a purse and a wallet.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported yesterday a deputy was called to the 6000 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Morton where a woman reported a family member was suspected of stealing her ATM card and using it to make purchases and withdrawals as far back as the beginning on the month. The 20-year-old suspect was interviewed and arrested for second-degree theft, according to the sheriff’s office. Gage A. Laclef, from Morton, was booked into the Lewis County Jail, Chief Deputy Dusty Breen said.

• A deputy was called to the 600 block of South Military Road in Winlock on Tuesday afternoon when the owner of a cargo trailer returned from traveling to find someone had removed two Stihl chainsaws, a weed eater, a sawzall and a circular saw.

ASSAULT

• Chehalis police were dispatched about 7:25 a.m. today to the 500 block of Southeast Adams Avenue for an assault.

BAD TOUCHING REPORTED

• A deputy called for a disorderly person at the 200 block of West Carson Street in Centralia at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday spoke to other people present and was told that earlier in the evening a 45-year-old man had inappropriately touched an 11-year-old girl in the bathroom area when she was getting out of the shower. Carlos G. Reyna, of Centralia, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree child molestation, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

BAD CUSTOMER REPORTED

• Chehalis police were called just before 3 p.m. yesterday to take a report an older man driving a red sedan had come through and exposed himself to an employee at the 10 block of Median Street.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for drugs, warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances, misdemeanor theft … and more among 170 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m. today.