Posts Tagged ‘news reporter’

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, February 2nd, 2018
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•••

TEEN ASSAULTED

• Centralia police called just after 9 p.m. yesterday to the 2800 block of Russell Road learned that two males, one juvenile and one adult, assaulted a 14-year-old boy who sustained minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

UNRULY UNMATES

• Chehalis police were called over the Green Hill School about 9:25 a.m. yesterday to investigate an incident in which a student-inmate allegedly hit a staff member and also threw urine under the door of his quarters. The episode from Jan. 25 led to a referral to prosecutors for charges of custodial assault plus felony harassment, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The 18-year-old suspect remains at the juvenile detention facility.

• An inmate at the Lewis County Jail who allegedly threw a phone damaging a $1,500 kiosk yesterday was booked on a fresh offense of second-degree malicious mischief, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy was called about 9 p.m. yesterday to investigate and watched video footage showing the incident, according to the sheriff’s office. Jevon J.M. Sykes, 21, from Auburn, remains in the  Lewis County Jail

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, probation violation, driving with suspended license, driving under the influence; responses for alarm, dispute, harassment, trespassing, civil issue, vehicle collision, suspicious circumstances … and more among 117 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sheriff: Truckload of stolen property recovered

Friday, February 2nd, 2018
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Suspected stolen property from multiple burglaries. / Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Sheriff’s deputies filled a 22-foot cargo trailer with what is believed to be stolen property collected yesterday at a home on the 100 block of Romerman Road in Chehalis.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant about 3 p.m. at the residence which was once occupied by David Dehaven, 32, and his 38-year-old acquaintance Carly Holmes. Both are currently in custody at the Lewis County Jail for charges filed last month by prosecutors for theft, theft of a motor vehicle and robbery, according to the sheriff’s office.

Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey said deputies are matching the property recovered to about 10 burglaries and other crimes from Centralia to Winlock that go back to August.

Sheriff Rob Snaza said in a press release his office will continue to pursue those who break the law and those that choose to victimize citizens.

“The hard work of our deputies will result in several victims being able to have their stolen property returned to them,” Snaza stated. “Property crimes are devastating on those that work hard and provide for their families.”

Deputies will be sorting through what they found and contacting victims to come to the sheriff’s office’s evidence facility to identify their belongings, according to Kimsey.

Anyone with information on these crimes or any other crime, is asked to contact the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at 360-748-9286.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, February 1st, 2018
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•••

ASSAULT

• Centralia police yesterday afternoon investigated a domestic assault associated with the 1000 block of Marion Street. A summons was requested for a suspect, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police responded just before 11 a.m. yesterday to the 2800 block of Russell Road for an alleged fourth-degree domestic assault. A summons was requested for a suspect, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 9:50 a.m. yesterday to Green Hill School at the 300 block of Southwest 11th Street to take a report of an alleged custodial assault.

BREAK-IN CENTRALIA

• Police were called about 9:10 a.m. yesterday for a burglary at the 700 block of Harrison Avenue. Forced entry was made through a back window, according to the Centralia Police Department. Cash and the camera system were stolen, according to police.

AUTO THEFT

• A 1998 Nissan 200SX was reported stolen about 1:45 p.m. yesterday from the 2400 block of Borst Avenue in Centralia, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called about 6:45 p.m. yesterday to the 500 block of South Tower Avenue where someone had tried to pass a check in which the payee had been whited out and changed.

• Centralia police were called to the 200 block of West Main Street about 10 a.m. yesterday regarding a check deposited several months ago was being returned as altered.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report about 4:15 p.m. yesterday of graffiti on the side of a garage at the 400 block of West Center Street.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, driving with suspended license, driving with no driver’s license; responses for dispute, harassment, trespassing, civil issue, vehicle collision, disorderly person, suspicious circumstances … and more among 162 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Pets lost in Chehalis house fire

Thursday, February 1st, 2018
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Flames rise from home on Southwest 12th Street in Chehalis on Wednesday night. / Courtesy photo by Mike Kroll

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Two people were able to escape a burning home in Chehalis last night but a dog and cat perished.

Firefighters called at 9:54 p.m. to the 100 block of Southwest 12th Street found fire at the front of the house, according to the Chehalis Fire Department.

“About half the house was involved, the occupants were able to exit the rear,” Fire Chief Ken Cardinale said this morning.

The crew was joined by personnel from Riverside Fire Authority, Lewis County Fire District 6 and Lewis County Fire District 5, Cardinale said.

He estimated $50,000 to $75,000 damage to the single-story, wood frame house. It’s not inhabitable, but might be repairable, the chief said.

The cause is under investigation.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, January 31st, 2018
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•••

Updated

SUSPECTED INTRUDER INTO ELDERLY WOMAN’S HOME JAILED

• A 29-year-old man was arrested yesterday following witnesses identifying him as the person seen on security video inside an 85-year-old Winlock woman’s home while she was sleeping. Devin K. Lang was contacted at his residence in Ethel just after 6 a.m. yesterday and booked into the Lewis County Jail for residential burglary, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey said the investigation began when deputies were called just before 7 o’clock on Thursday to the 200 block of Nikula Road in Winlock. The woman’s family members had set up surveillance video in her home and were reviewing the footage when they saw a person walking around inside the home, through the kitchen, the living room and into the bedroom where the victim was sleeping. They observed the person put something in his pocket before leaving out the door, Kimsey said. Deputies discovered entry had been made through  a bathroom window, according to the sheriff’s office. Kimsey said the family members, but not the victim, knew the suspect.

PROSECUTORS: CHILD TOSSED OVER COUCH

• A 41-year-old man arrested last night for allegedly pulling his ex-girlfriend’s feet out from under her as she was walking up stairs to her Centralia apartment was also arrested for allegedly assaulting his 12-year-old daughter in a previous incident. Gunner J. Genzel was charged today in Lewis County Superior Court with third-degree assault of a child and fourth-degree assault. His bail was set at $50,000. Charging documents in the case state a deputy was called just after 8 p.m. yesterday for a dispute at the 2000 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. His former girlfriend said she was trying to get her apartment key back from him when he grabbed her feet causing her to slam into the steps, the documents relate. She asked her two children to call 911. During questioning, the deputy learned of an episode that happened earlier this month at the same location. The ex-girlfriend and Genzel’s daughter stated he had grabbed the daughter around her neck, dragged her inside the apartment and tossed her over the couch onto the floor, according to the allegations. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 8.

DANGEROUS WEAPON AT SCHOOL

• Chehalis police were called about 11:15 a.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Southwest 16th Street to investigate a report a student had brass knuckles on school grounds. The case regarding the 15-year-old boy is being referred to prosecutors for a possible charge of possession of a dangerous weapon, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

FRAUD

• Chehalis police were called about 12:50 p.m. yesterday by a woman who reported someone had made deposits into her bank account and withdrawn them the following day without her permission, in a case associated with the 400 block of North Market Boulevard.

ALCOHOL HAUL

• Chehalis police were contacted about 3:50 p.m. yesterday by a business on the 1100 block of South Market Boulevard to take a report of a theft a few days prior in which someone stole $1,100 worth of liquor.

DRUGS

• A 35-year-old homeless woman was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after a sheriff’s detective recognized her as someone he wanted to talk with, as she was riding a BMX bicycle about 10:40 a.m. yesterday at Harrison Avenue near the Interstate 5 onramp. She was arrested and bag inside her pocket contained a needle and a bag containing suspected meth, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Sherri L. Scott was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police were called about 9:30 a.m. yesterday to the 300 block of West Pine Street where someone had damaged the ignition on a car in a possible attempt to steal it.

• A window on a vehicle parked at the 300 block of South Iron Street in Centralia was broken, according to  report made to police about 5:10 p.m. yesterday.

• Centralia police were called just before 10 a.m. yesterday regarding graffiti tagged on a fence in an alley near the 1300 block of Oxford Avenue.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• An 18-year-old student-inmate from Green Hill School in Chehalis accused of sexual assault of his cell mate was brought before a judge today in Lewis County Superior Court. Andrew E. Umino was charged late last year with second-degree rape for an incident investigated by Chehalis police in September. The 19-year-old roommate told police that four days earlier after lights out, Umino got angry, pushed him into a corner and began hitting him, according to court documents. He said Umino told him to suck on his penis or he would beat him, the documents relate. Afterward, he said if he told anyone, he would kill him, Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead wrote in the charging documents. Umino was released back to Green Hill School following this afternoon’s hearing. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 8.

• Arrest warrants were issued yesterday for a father and son who were allegedly unlawfully growing marijuana plants at a Curtis Hill Road property. Joseph A. Watson, 59, and Derek J. Watson, 30, were summonsed to appear yesterday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court based on charges of manufacture of marijuana which were filed earlier this month. They didn’t show up, according to prosecutors. Charging documents in the case state that Joseph Watson arrived home to find deputies there on Oct. 4 and told them he believed the law said they could grow four plants on the property without getting into trouble. He said he had about 20 plants. The deputies seized 23 plants. Deputy Sgt. Dan Riordan spoke with the son on the phone, and the son told Riordan that Riordan was wrong about the laws, Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher wrote in charging documents. Neither suspect had valid medical marijuana authorization, according to Meagher.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for dispute, harassment, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 156 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 24-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Sunday, January 28th, 2018
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•••

UNWELCOME VISITOR

• A 19-year-old Centralia resident was arrested after police were called about 7:15 p.m. yesterday to the 500 block of West Center Street in Centralia because he had allegedly attempted to enter a home to look for a place to sleep. Michael W. Severance was found to be under the influence and resisted arrest, according to the Centralia Police Department. Severance was booked into the Lewis County Jail for malicious mischief and criminal trespass, according to police.

BURGLARY

• Police were called about 10 a.m. yesterday to the 800 block of South Street where an individual reported that sometime over the weekend someone broke into the residence and stole jewelry, money and cosmetics.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Centralia police were called about 11:30 a.m. yesterday to take a report that a blue 1971 Ford F250 truck, was stolen from the 500 block of Jackson Street sometime during the previous week. It has a license plate reading C92923H, according to the Centralia Police Department.

FRAUD

• Centralia police were called about 10 a.m. on Friday to the 1300 block of South Gold Street and began investigating the possible theft of checks which had been altered and passed.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Police were called to the 100 block of North King Street in Centralia about 11:35 a.m. on Friday where an individual reported sometime during the night last weekend, someone removed his LED light bar and other LED lighting off his vehicle.

ON THE ROAD, OFF THE ROAD

• A 20-year-old Chehalis resident was arrested for hit and run after he allegedly ran a stop sign and struck another vehicle about 12:20 p.m. yesterday at Plum and Iron streets in Centralia. Police say Jonathan J. Garcilazo Lucht, and his two passengers fled on foot but were later located. Deago G. Perez, 18, of Chehalis was arrested for outstanding warrants and Jamie A.M. Bismuti, 19, of Centralia was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, according to the Centralia Police Department. All three were also arrested for criminal trespass and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

• Chehalis police on Friday afternoon said the reason for the attempted traffic stop that led to W.F. West High School getting locked down for a few minutes was because of speeding through the 20th Street school zone. It began around 10:20 a.m. on Friday and the white Nissan Murano reportedly fled northbound on Market Boulevard and then turned left onto 17th Street, which dead ends at the high school parking lot. One of the four occupants jumped out and ran off, according to police. The driver, 18-year-old Reina Martinez, from Centralia, was arrested for eluding and for possession of a stolen vehicle, according to police. The remaining two people were released from the scene.

AND MORE

• And, as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, third-degree theft, misdemeanor domestic assault, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license; responses for alarm, dispute, civil issue, vehicle collision, misdemeanor theft, suspicious circumstances … and more among 292 calls for local law enforcement and / or fire-emergency medical services in the 48-hour period ending about 7 a.m.

Fired Centralia insurance agent charged with theft of customers’ payments

Friday, January 26th, 2018
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Matthew G. Gingerich is seated to the left of his defense attorney in Lewis County Superior Court

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A former Centralia insurance agent pleaded not guilty today to first-degree theft, in connection with allegedly misappropriating client’s premium payments.

Matthew G. Gingerich, 37, was fired from employment with American Family Insurance following an internal audit three years ago. His license was revoked two years ago by the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

The Lewis County Prosecutors Office filed the criminal charge late last year and summonsed Gingerich to appear before a judge this afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.

He was accompanied by his Olympia attorney Jason Fugate.

Gingerich was allowed release on his personal recognizance pending trial

Gingerich’s business address was on the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia. The state insurance commissioner said in the spring of 2016 the audit showed he misappropriated nearly $30,000, and American Family was able to correct all the consumer’s policies of but one.

He was licensed for property, casualty, life and disability insurance in this state beginning in October 2008.

Charging documents in his case allege Gingerich put an internal block on a client’s account, preventing the client from receiving a cancellation notice in the event Gingerich didn’t pay the premium.

The report from the OIC showed he withheld approximately $37,000 of his client’s payments, and didn’t pass them on to American Family Insurance, Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher wrote in charging documents.

Meagher writes the audit found Gingerich transferred $37,610 from his premium trust account to his business checking account between August 2013 to March 2014, although he put $19,496 back in and that he admitted to receiving $2,800.24 in cash for premiums he didn’t put in the trust account.

He allegedly provided the auditor altered bank statements, including a fictitious business savings account.

His trial was scheduled for the week of April 15.
•••

For background, read “Insurance Commissioner: Centralia agent failed to remit customer premiums” from Tuesday March 22, 2016, here