Lewis County Sirens.com

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT CENTRALIA MOTEL

• A 23-year-old Chehalis man apparently angry because he thought the mother of his child was texting another man was arrested after police were called to Motel 6 in Centralia last night, where he had allegedly blocked her from leaving and then kicked in a door when she took her phone in the bathroom. Officers responding about 11:30 p.m. to the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue learned she was able to get out to her car where he broke the glass before he took off running, according to the Centralia Police Department. She thought he was going to kill her and the 5-year-old child was present when it occurred, police said. Subsequently located and booked into the Lewis County Jail was Nicholas L. Gonzalez, for felony harassment, unlawful imprisonment and second-degree malicious mischief, police said.

POLICE: TRIO BARGES INTO WOMAN’S HOME

• A 45-year-old Chehalis woman was hospitalized after a fracas last night at an apartment on the 200 block of Northwest Chehalis Avenue. Officers called about 10:40 p.m. were told two heavy set females and a male arrived and beat up the woman, according to the Chehalis Police Department. They apparently were trying to retrieve some property that belonged to someone else, according to police. “I don’t know what property they were after but they just barged in and committed assault, which is burglary,” detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said. Arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail were Angela M. Johnson, 27, and Don K. Gonzales, 25, both from Chehalis and Saleana A. Valencia, 19, from Olympia, according to Wilson. Prosecutors declined to charge them and they were scheduled to be released today. Wilson said this morning he was still waiting to hear back from the hospital about the woman’s injuries.

UNPLANNED WARRANT SWEEP

• Centralia police ended up arresting three wanted men after a passenger of a vehicle they were watching at the 1300 block of Belmont Avenue in Centralia jumped out and ran upstairs into a motel room. It happened about 1 p.m. yesterday at Motel 6 and the individual they were originally looking for wasn’t found until later in Bucoda, according to the Centralia Police Department. Dana M. Johnson, 33, a homeless person, was arrested and booked for outstanding warrants and for an earlier investigation of residential burglary, according to police. Sgt. Kurt Reichert said there were three people left in the car, which an officer held at gunpoint and when officers knocked on the motel room, they arrested others there. It appears there were about a half dozen altogether, but Reichert wasn’t certain if the passenger was among those arrested. Booked into the Lewis County Jail were Stephen D. Pierce, 35 of Oakville, for an earlier investigation of burglary; Steven N. Romero, 20 of Centralia, for an earlier investigation of vehicle theft; and Forrest S. McMillian, 27 of Oakville, for several warrants, according to police.

SUSPECT SPEAKING IN TONGUES

• Chehalis police called about a skinny male who seemed to be speaking in tongues at about 12:45 p.m. yesterday arrested a 25-year-old homeless man who allegedly stole a backpack and also was seen on someone’s porch on Southwest Cascade Avenue attempting to take a bicycle which was chained up. Joshua E. Blankenship was arrested for third-degree theft and then released, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

STOLEN LICENSE PLATE

• Centralia police took a report about 5 p.m. yesterday regarding a license plate plate stolen off a vehicle at the 2000 block of Borst Avenue. The Washington state plate reads: B01598M, according to the Centralia Police Department.

ELDERLY PE ELL WOMAN VICTIMIZED BY BURGLAR

• Someone walked through an unlocked front door at a home in Pe Ell and stole a jewelry box from a bathroom in the master bedroom belonging to an 88-year-old woman. A deputy called to the 500 block of North Main Street learned the box contained about $3,000 worth of rings and necklaces, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning. It happened between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said.

DRUGS

• A 38-year-old Chehalis resident wanted on a warrant was arrested after he was seen about 7:30 p.m. near Sixth Street and William Avenue; and a pipe was found with powder in it that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Kelly M. Davies was booked into the Lewis County Jail for the warrant and for possession of meth, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PHONE SCAMMERS

• Centralia police took a report yesterday from the 200 block of Downing Road from an individual who said they got a phone call from someone saying their power bill was past due and if they didn’t pay $1,200, the electricity would be shut off. It was an attempted scam, according to the Centralia Police Department. The advice from police: If anyone calls you asking for money, you ought to first verify the information independently. “Don’t call them at the phone number they give you, look it up,” Sg. Kurt Reichert said.

• Chehalis police took a report yesterday afternoon from an individual on West Main Street about getting a phone call from someone posing as a representative of the Internal Revenue Service, who wanted money. Sgt. Gary Wilson said there’s not much local police can do in these types of situations, in part because sometimes the scammers are calling from a foreign country. “We just warn people, if the IRS calls you, it’s not the IRS,” he said. They contact people by mail, not over the telephone, he said.

CHEHALIS BUSINESS SETTLES VIOLATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL LAW

• The owners of Del’s Feed and Farm Supply Store in Chehalis agreed to pay a fine of $134,400 for failing to report it was storing more than 10,000 pounds of propane at each of five locations, including Chehalis, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “Emergency responders rely on this information for their safety and to help protect nearby residents during an emergency, such as a fire or an earthquake,”  a spokesperson for the EPA said in a news release yesterday. Tractor Supply Company operates 18 Del’s Feed and Farm Supply Store in Washington and once made aware of the violations, quickly took steps to comply, according to EPA spokesperson Hanady Kader. Propane, sometimes referred to as liquefied petroleum gas, LP-gas, or LPG, is highly flammable. Under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, facilities that store threshold quantities of certain hazardous chemicals are required to submit an inventory of each of those chemicals to the State Emergency Response Commission, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the local fire department.

WRECK

• Three people were hospitalized after a head-on crash last night in Winlock caused by an intoxicated underage driver that totaled two Honda Civics. A deputy responding about 9:20 p.m. to the 300 block of South Military Road concluded that the car carrying Enrique J. Hernandez, 20, and a 20-year-old passenger was traveling too fast and slid into the oncoming lane, running into a car driven by a 54-year-old man, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. All three are Winlock residents and were transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office. Hernandez was subsequently booked into the Lewis County Jail for driving under the influence, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. He was also cited for not carrying liability insurance, she said.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarm, dispute, shoplifting, broken vehicle window, collision on city street, someone taking a motor vehicle without permission, harassing phone calls, harassing texts, someone said they thought they witnessed a drug deal in a parking lot, a shoeless drunk man in a bar yelling and being rude, a drunken individual knocking on doors at an apartment building trying to get someone to put him up for the night … and more.

SKETCHY VAN

• Deputies have their eyes out for a dark green Chevrolet Astrovan that was seen seemingly suspicious at an Onalaska home yesterday and also pulling in and out of driveways on Davis Lake Road in Morton. A 28-year-old woman who believes its occupants were looking in her mailbox called 911 last night after she saw two males running from the back of her house and leaving in the van at about 7:15 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. That happened at the 3000 block of state Route 508, according to the sheriff’s office. The woman followed the vehicle to Cinebar Road and took a picture, but then got nervous because her children were with her, and returned home, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. Nothing appeared to have been stolen, Brown said. The van has black running boards and the two men looked to be about 40 years old, of average height and weight, according to Brown. Anyone who sees it is asked to call the sheriff’s office right away, as deputies would like to speak with the men about their activities, Brown said.

DRUGS

• Centralia police responding about 5 p.m. yesterday to someone trying to break into vehicles in the parking lot at the Outlet mall on the 1300 block of Lum Road arrested a 47-year-old woman from Fife for possession of methamphetamine. A 40-year-old Tacoma man was arrested for a warrant and possession of PCP, but aid was called to evaluate him because he was lethargic. He was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital to be checked out. Larry B. Robinson was subsequently booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department. Prosecutors declined to charge the woman and she is to be released.

BIG GUY WITH WARRANT

• Several law enforcement officers congregated in the area near Applebees in Chehalis yesterday afternoon when they learned from Portland police a man who had left the state of Oregon in violation of his probation was there with his wife, and she might be in danger. It was just before 3 p.m. at the 1600 block of Louisiana Avenue and the woman said she was fine but 27-year-old Jordan Solomon was taken into custody, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Police said the 6-foot-6-inch tall man smashed his head against the inside of a patrol car window, popping it out. He was booked for his warrant and for third-degree malicious mischief, detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said. Wilson indicated Portland police were able to track the vehicle using its GPS system provider because the woman may have been endangered. He said the large police response was made because Solomon has a bad history with police.

YOUR MONEY’S NO GOOD HERE

• Centralia police arrested a 35-year-old Auburn man for counterfeiting after he allegedly tried to use fake bills to put money on his account at the jail early this morning, after they arrested him for a warrant. Prosecutors declined to file a criminal charge against him.

MOSSYROCK BREAK-IN

• Morton police report they are investigating a burglary discovered at a Mossyrock business about 6:45 a.m. on June 10, in the 100 block of East State Street. A door was kicked open and approximately $100 was missing, according to police.

MESSAGE FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL

• Sales of consumer fireworks begin on June 28 at noon and end on July 5 at 11 p.m. A number of city and counties have restricted or banned the sale and discharge of fireworks. The state fire marshal recommends to always be sure to check with your local jurisdiction before using fireworks.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, misdemeanor theft such as a book, possible theft of money at a retail business, vehicle hitting mailbox on county road, graffiti in a bathroom at the college, teens on the roof of a school, deer running around on the road, concern about rats by an overflowing dumpster, concern about neighbor dogs without food or water … and more.

Updated at 7:19 p.m.

POLICE: YOUNG MAN THREATENS TO CUT UP FATHER

• Deputies were called about 11 a.m. yesterday to a home in Mineral where a 22-year-old son had allegedly threatened to shoot his father and then himself. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said an argument took place at the parent’s home on the 200 block of Lutkens Road and the son, who is described as transient, reportedly told his 57-year-old father he was going to place duct tape over his mouth, cut him up and then use a gun. The father was able to go inside the residence and lock the doors to get away from his son, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. Arriving deputies found Matthew C. Nyman standing on the front porch, arrested him for felony harassment and booked him into the Lewis County Jail, according to authorities. Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said it wasn’t clear from the reports what Nyman was upset over, but it appeared he may suffer from a mental health disorder. A judge ordered him held on $10,000 bail when he appeared in court this afternoon, charged with felony harassment, domestic violence. The judge also ordered him to have no contact with his father, Masiello said.

TV GONE

• Centralia police were called about 10:20 a.m. yesterday regarding a flat screen television taken from a room at the 1000 block of Eckerson Road in Centralia.

CHAINSAW GONE

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported yesterday that someone stole a $900 Stihl chainsaw when they broke a padlock to a shed on the 100 block of Cinebar Road in East Lewis County. The victim said it happened between 3 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.

FRAUD

• An individual called Centralia police yesterday from the 800 block of K Street to report he had learned from his bank someone back in 2010 filed taxes in Florida using his personal information, according to the Centralia Police Department.

DENT GETS MAN LOCKED UP

• A 33-year-old Centralia man was booked into jail last night for allegedly kicking a dent into someone’s vehicle. Centralia police called to the 1600 block of North Schueber Road about 9:20 p.m. arrested Ryan A. McCarter for third-degree malicious mischief and booked him into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

LOST AND FOUND

• A citizen turned into the Chehalis Police Department yesterday a small glass bottle of marijuana found on the side of the road at Southwest 11th Street and McFadden Avenue. Don’t bother checking with the lost and found there, police say, it will be destroyed. Detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said it may be legal for individuals to possess small amounts, but the state of the current law doesn’t mean officers can “deliver” marijuana to even its rightful owner.

TOO FAST FOR CORNER

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded yesterday to the 1500 block of Bishop Road south of Chehalis where the Kenworth tractor and trailer loaded with lumber tipped onto its side. The 57-year-old driver from Brigham City, Utah was southbound and traveling too fast for a sharp corner, the sheriff’s office said. He was reportedly uninjured. No ticket has yet been issued, according to the sheriff’s office.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, misdemeanor assault; responses for suspicious circumstances, neighborhood parking issues, possible IRS scam over the telephone, an individual who rented a washer and dryer from a business and did not pay … and more.

Updated at 6:41 p.m.

RUN, RUN, RUN, RUNAWAY

• A 48-year-old Ethel man was arrested following a brief nighttime police pursuit west of Onalaska which turned into a foot chase and ended when the subject running at full speed collided with a building covered in blackberry bushes. Brian S. Steward was wanted on a warrant and was taken into custody, after the early Saturday morning incident, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It began when a deputy was called to a dispute just after midnight on Friday at the 400 block of Burchett Road but Steward left before the deputy arrived, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies learned Steward was driving with a suspended license and had a warrant from the state Department of Corrections and spotted his car near state Route 508 and Tauscher Road, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. Brown said Steward didn’t pull over, instead continued down Jackson Highway to a farm where he left his Chevrolet Impala and took off running. He was booked into the Lewis County Jail for eluding, Brown said.

DOMESTIC UN-TRANQUILITY

• Police arrested a 62-year-old Centralia woman last night after she allegedly pulled a gun on her roommate. Officers called about 9:40 p.m. to the 900 block of Marion Street booked Rita J. Finegan into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault. Prosecutors sent the case to municipal court, which handles misdemeanors.

• A 45-year-old Chehalis woman was arrested this morning after she allegedly entered a home on the 1800 block of Shamrock Avenue in Centralia, illegally, broke several items and assaulted her husband. Tamara L. Twidwell left when police were called about 5:30 a.m. but was located a short time later and booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault, according to the Centralia Police Department.

POLICE: UNRULY NY MAN KICKS OFFICER

• A 64-year-old man from New York who was kicked off a train in Centralia for being disorderly found himself lodged at the Lewis County Jail because he allegedly pushed and then kicked a police officer. Police called about 3:40 p.m. on Friday to the Amtrak station to remove an intoxicated and belligerent passenger from the premises arrested James C. Davis for assault after he pushed an officer, Sgt. Kurt Reichert said. He was taken to the hospital first for a pre-booking screening because of the level of intoxication and as the same officer was placing him back into the patrol car, Davis allegedly caught the side of the officer’s head with his foot, Reichert said. He was booked for two counts of third-degree assault, according to police.

BURGLARY AND THEFT

• Jewelry and cash were stolen from a home on the 300 block of Courtland Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police just before noon yesterday. It appears they got in through an unlocked door, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police were called about 1:35 p.m. on Saturday to the 1800 block of Juneman Street where someone had broken into a home and ransacked several rooms, leaving with a lock box and unspecified documents.

• Someone stole a utility trailer during the night from the 2900 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia, according to a report made to police about 5:45 a.m. yesterday.

RIFLE CLEANING ACCIDENT WOUNDS ONE

• A 30-year-old Randle man was hospitalized after he accidentally shot himself in the forearm as he was cleaning a .22 rifle on his back porch. Deputies called about 12:20 p.m. on Friday to the 100 block of Baugh Road learned that he was getting ready to test fire the weapon when something dropped and when he leaned down to pick it up, he bumped the trigger, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

THREE INJURED IN WRECK NEAR MAYFIELD LAKE

• Three people were hospitalized after a single-vehicle wreck yesterday afternoon when a 1966 Ford Mustang hit a ditch on U.S. Highway 12 traveling along about 150 feet before colliding head on with the end of a guard rail. Troopers called about 4:40 p.m. to the scene roughly four miles west of Mossyrock found the car totaled, according to the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle had been traveling westbound  and was approaching Mayfield Lake bridge when the driver was distracted by something as-yet-unspecified, according to the state patrol. Transported to Providence Centralia Hospital were the driver Albert L. Cheney, 52, from Centralia; and passengers Denise R. Salts, 55, of Silver Creek, and 3-year-old Aiden Robbins, according to the investigating trooper. Cheney was treated and released and a hospital spokesperson said no information can be released about children. Salts was transferred to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, in Vancouver, where this afternoon she was listed in serious condition. Salts is the same woman who survived a gunshot wound to her face when her boyfriend and two others were slain almost four years ago inside a Salkum-Onalaska area home on Wings Way.

• A semi truck loaded carrying lumber tipped onto its side on Bishop Road near Labree Road in Chehalis this afternoon, but the driver was uninjured, according to Lewis County Fire District 6. Chief Tim Kinder said crews from fire districts 5 and 6 responded about 1 p.m. and tended to the oil that spilled from the engine. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the wreck, according to Kinder.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, violation of protection order, misdemeanor assault; responses for alarms, disputes, vandalism, underage drinking, collisions on city streets, misdemeanor theft such as wallet left in shopping cart, shoplift of dog food … and more.

Bishop Road near Labree Road in Chehalis this afternoon / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Fire District 6