Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 22nd, 2013

THEFT OF FIREARM

• A Ruger semiautomatic 22 pistol was reported stolen yesterday, from a vehicle left for detailing at a business on the 2500 block of North National Avenue in Chehalis. The gun disappeared sometime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. one day late last month but the victim did not report it sooner because it occurred at his workplace, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• A 36-year-old Centralia resident was arrested for possession of heroin after contact with an officer about noon yesterday at the 1000 block of Yakima Street in Centralia. Sebastian J. Haller was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

VANDALISM

• Someone threw oil on a vehicle and slashed its tires at the 500 block of South Silver Street in Centralia, according to a report made to police yesterday morning.

• An officer took a report of graffiti painted on the window of a business yesterday morning at the 500 block of West Main Street in Centralia.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving under the influence; responses for alarms, misdemeanor theft, hit and run, dispute … and more.

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News brief: Huge transformer catches fire at Chehalis Power Plant, again

November 22nd, 2013

Updated at 10:33 a.m.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A fire broke out this morning at the power plant in the Chehalis Industrial Park, drawing numerous 911 calls from passersby on Interstate 5 and four fire departments.

A transformer exploded, sending flames some 150 feet into the sky, according to according to Lewis County Fire District 6.

Burning at the natural gas-fueled facility on the 1800 block of Bishop Road was one of three 25-foot tall transformers, according to Firefighter-Paramedic Steven Busz.

Nobody was injured.

The sprinkler system contained the blaze even before the one employee on scene shut the power off, Busz said.

It is a very large sprinkler system installed after the last fire there, he said.

The plant was built in 2003 and has been owned and operated since 2008 by the Portland-based PacifiCorp.

A company spokesperson said investigators are looking into it, but it sounds similar to a situation in early 2011 in which a transformer malfunction caused a fire as well.

“The system notifications and alerts worked as they were supposed to,” PacifiCorp spokesperson Tom Gauntt said.

Busz said the metal transformers are filled with a type of mineral oil which conducts the electricity. He wasn’t sure how extensive the damage was to the equipment.

About a dozen firefighters answered the 5:30 a.m. call from Chehalis, Centralia and Napavine, he said.

District 6 was on the scene until about 8 a.m. ensuring the sprinkler system had cooled the transformer to make sure it was out.

The new sprinkler system is so large, crews didn’t put any of their own water on the fire, according to Budsz.

After the January 2011 fire, partial generation was restored at the plant within days and normal operations resumed within less than a month, according to PacifiCorp.

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News brief: Medics holding out boots for donations

November 22nd, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Local paramedics will hold a fill the boot event this weekend in Winlock and Napavine to raise money to help send kids with muscular dystrophy to camp.

Lewis County Medic One Paramedic Delaney Hornby says folks will find them on Saturday at the IGA store in Winlock from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

During the same hours on Sunday, they can be found at the Love’s truck stop off Interstate 5 exit 72.

The fundraiser is being conducted by Lewis County Professional Paramedics IAFF Local 4863. Hornby is president of the group.

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Review of 90-plus-year sentence for juvenile drive-by shooter postponed

November 21st, 2013
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Guadalupe Solis-Diaz Jr. looks to see who is sitting in the courtroom benches this afternoon.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Guadalupe Solis-Diaz Jr., now 23, will have to wait two extra months to find out if his nearly 93-year sentence might get reduced.

The former Centralia High School student was given the lengthy term for a drive-by shooting in downtown Centralia days before his 17th birthday, an incident in which several bar patrons on a sidewalk escaped injury.

Last year, the state Court of Appeals last year tossed out his  virtual life sentence referencing various matters that should have been handled more thoroughly, given that he was a juvenile.

The expected half-day hearing was set for mid-December, but Lewis County Superior Court Judge Nelson Hunt will be out for several weeks.

This afternoon, Lewis County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Sarah Beigh and defense attorney Robert Quillian told the judge they could conduct the proceedings on Feb. 21.

Solis-Diaz made a brief appearance in court, shackled and chained at the ankles. His mother and other family members were among those in the courtroom, clad in matching black T-shirts featuring the young man’s face, his name and the words, “Needs a second chance in life.”

Solis-Diaz was convicted in 2007 of numerous offenses, including multiple counts of first-degree assault while armed with a firearm the terms for which state law mandated must be served consecutively.

Quillian said he’s still waiting to hear back from the judge about his request for funds for an expert to evaluate his client’s emotional and mental maturity, something Quillian said he understood the appeal decision called for.

The decision came from a personal restraint petition filed by Kimberly D. Ambrose of the University of Washington School of Law Race and Justice Clinic in 2011. A number of other attorneys filed briefs as well on Solis-Diaz’s behalf.

The challenge was made in light of a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that held a sentence of life without parole is forbidden for a juvenile who did not commit homicide, however the appeals judges focused on the deficient performance of the court-appointed attorney.

A U.W. law school student of Ambrose’s among those assisting Quillian traveled to the courthouse as well today and met with the family, but declined comment.
•••

For background, read: “Lewis County judge takes issue with forced do-over of drive-by shooter sentencing” from Wednesday September 11, 2013, here

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Guadalupe Solis-Diaz Jr.’s family wear their support of him on T-shirts.

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Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 21st, 2013

BASEBALL BAT THREAT

• A 56-year-old Centralia man was arrested for second-degree assault yesterday after he allegedly swung a metal baseball bat at an 18-year-old woman during a dispute. Officers called just after 11 a.m. to the home on the 1000 block of E Street booked Jay B. Woods into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department. The woman was not injured, according to police. Woods is to be released without charges pending further investigation.

RECOVERED STOLEN CAR

• Police arrested a 27-year-old Rochester man yesterday afternoon after spotting a vehicle stolen from Thurston County parked on the 800 block of South Pearl Street in Centralia. Two people were detained at about 4 p.m., according to the Centralia Police Department. Booked into the Lewis County jail for possession of stolen property was Johnathan L.B. Pennypacker, 22, according to police. Kathryn R. Dailey, 28, of Centralia, was booked for outstanding warrants, police reported.

STOLEN CAR

• Centralia police we called yesterday to the 1200 block of G Street to take a report of a stolen vehicle. The victim told police she had loaned her silver and purple 2005 Scion XB to an individual awhile back who wouldn’t return it and subsequently told her he’d sold it for drugs and money, according to the Centralia Police Department.

GUNS STOLEN

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning someone burglarized a residence outside Chehalis sometime between Friday and Monday stealing three firearms. A deputy responded to a report made on Tuesday from the 200 block of Lake Creek Road and learned that missing were a shotgun, a rifle and a revolver, according to the sheriff’s office.

WELDER MISSING

• Chehalis police were called just before 11 a.m. yesterday to a business on the 600 block of West Main Street about a missing welder. The Lincoln brand items is valued at approximately $750, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

PURSE MISSING

• A woman called Centralia police yesterday to report she’d accidentally left her purse in a shopping cart after loading groceries into her car at the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue and didn’t realize it until she got home. When she returned, it had not been turned in to the lost and found, according to the Centralia Police Department.

PURSE STOLEN

• Police were called about 6:30 p.m. yesterday to the 1300 block of Lum Road in Centralia where they were told a male wearing a yellow and black hooded sweatshirt stole a handbag and fled on foot.

VEHICLE PROWL

• Chehalis police were called yesterday about someone getting into an unlocked vehicle overnight at the 400 block of Southeast Washington Avenue. Missing is a traffic vest and identification, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, obstruction; responses for alarm, domestic dispute, misdemeanor theft, receipt of counterfeit money, suspicious circumstances, parking lot and other collisions, concern about a family member off their mental illness meds … and more.

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Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

November 20th, 2013

Updated at 1:03 p.m.

POLICE: SUSPECT STEALS CASH OFF EX-GIRLFRIEND

• Centralia police say a known suspect in his 30s forced his ex-girlfriend to drive him from Chehalis to Centralia last night, snatched a small amount of money from her at the 1400 block of Lum Road and made her drive to another location to get more money. When the woman, who is in her early 40s, was at the second place, she got away from him and had a friend call police, according to the Centralia Police Department. It happened around midnight and officers were still looking for the suspect this morning, according to Sgt. Kurt Reichert. She was unhurt, except for some scratches from when the money was grabbed from out of her clothing, according to Reichert. The two are from the Centralia, Chehalis areas, he said.

TWO FIREARMS STOLEN FROM HOME

• A deputy was called about 9 p.m. yesterday to the 200 block of Carroll Way outside Chehalis about residential burglary in which a 9 mm Taurus handgun and 22 caliber Rohm revolver were among the items stolen. The 49-year-old victim said it occurred sometime between 3 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Also taken was an alternator from a vehicle and an AM/FM cassette stereo, according to the sheriff’s office.

CENTRALIA RESIDENT BLAMED FOR FAKE BILLS

• Centralia police called about 9 a.m. yesterday about an individual attempting to spend counterfeit money at a business on the 1400 block of Johnson Road are trying to track down the 23-year-old man who reportedly previously passed the fake bills to the individual, to purchase a jacket. When officers contacted their suspect a short time later, he was wearing the jacket but dropped it and fled, according to the Centralia Police Department. Jacob D. Holmgren, of Centralia, is being sought for forgery – allegedly knowingly passing counterfeit money – and resisting arrest, according to Sgt. Kurt Reichert.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR MORTON THEFT

• A 55-year-old woman was arrested last night in Randle in connection with the theft reported on Friday of more than $800 worth of gold and silver jewelry from the 100 block of Chapman Road near Morton. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office said the 53-year-old victim said it occurred sometime since Oct. 11. Deborah L. West, who was contacted around 8 p.m. yesterday at the 100 block of Kelly Lane in Randle, was arrested for second-degree theft and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. West is from East Lewis County but currently homeless, according to Sgt. Rob Snaza. She was released without charges pending further investigation.

HIT AND RUN

• Chehalis police were called to the 600 block of Southwest William Avenue yesterday about an apparent hit and run which had occurred sometime in the previous week. There was damage to the northeast corner of a garage, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

DRUGS

• An officer who happened upon what appeared to be sexual activity inside a vehicle at Fort Borst Park in Centralia yesterday afternoon contacted a pair of teenagers, smelled marijuana and ended up arresting 18-year-old Jody L. Hyde of Centralia for unlawful possession of marijuana. He and his female companion were then released, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Chehalis police were called about 1 p.m. yesterday to the 300 block of Southwest 16th Avenue about a possible marijuana violation. The case is under investigation, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• The 51-year-old Toledo man who led multiple law enforcement agencies on a freeway-speeds pursuit down into Cowlitz County and then back north on Interstate 5 on Sunday night managing to avoid spike strips set out in at least two locations, had gotten into a fight with his wife and made a comment about “suicide by cop” before leaving Toledo, according to court documents. The prolonged incident ended near Centralia after spike strips disabled his van, according to charging papers. Authorities say Jamey D. Brown refused to get out and when officers saw what looked to be a gas can and lighter, they broke a window and used non-lethal force to make him cooperate. Centralia police said they shot him with a bean bag gun. Brown was charged with malicious mischief, for allegedly kicking in a door at the residence; with fourth-degree assault for allegedly pouring dish soap on his wife’s head and telling her she should clean up; and with attempting to elude, according to court documents. When asked why he did not stop, he said he “just lost it.” Bail was set at $25,000 when he was charged on Monday in Lewis County Superior Court. His arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, shoplifting; responses for alarm, collisions with parked vehicles, report of possible child molestation … and more.

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Arson suspect: Voices, hallucinations lead to kerosene and a torch at Ethel store

November 20th, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The 58-year-old man who allegedly admitted he tried to burn down his brother’s business in Ethel over the weekend is scheduled for an arraignment tomorrow in Lewis County Superior Court.

Mark S. Breitenbach, of Castle Rock, told law enforcement officers when he was contacted at the Ethel Store he was trying to destroy the place as voices were telling him they were going to kill him and his brother had put a “hit” on him, according to the allegations in court documents.

Breitenbach remains held in the Lewis County Jail on $100,000 bail.

According to court documents, officers arriving about 3:20 a.m. on Saturday to the  1400 block of U.S. Highway 12 found the glass to the front door busted out and puddles of Coleman stove fuel and a newspaper “torch” inside the building. A deputy observed two black burn marks on the floor inside the front door, according to documents.

A trooper had already arrived because of a vehicle found in the ditch on the south side of the highway, and Breitenbach had come out from his hiding place near a port-potty to give himself up, according to the documents.

Breitenbach reportedly told the deputy he initially tried to enter by ramming his car through the doors but when he tried to get a running start, he lost control and put it in the ditch. After lighting the torch and tossing it inside, he ran eastbound, but fell into a water-filled ditch and was waiting on the roadside for a semi truck to pass so he could run in front of it and be killed, he told the deputy.

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Matt Schlecht noted that as he spoke with Breitenbach, he seemed worried about passing cars, saying they were the hit man who was going to shoot him in the head, according to court documents.

Breitenbach has a 1987 conviction out of Los Angeles for assault with a firearm, according to charging papers.

He was appointed a lawyer on Monday afternoon when he was charged with second-degree arson and second-degree burglary.

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