Posts Tagged ‘By Sharyn L. Decker’

Police: LVL gang member caught dealing meth

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Police arrested a 28-year-old Tenino man yesterday after he allegedly sold $50 worth of methamphetamine to an informant behind the Hub Tavern in Centralia.

Ruben Alberto Palomares was the subject on an ongoing investigation by the Chehalis Police Department, according to Deputy Chief Randy Kaut. He was picked up late in the afternoon in a vehicle traveling on Cooks Hill Road in Centralia, Kaut said.

Officers conducted what Kaut called a high-risk stop, which includes drawn weapons.

Palomares is charged in Lewis County Superior Court with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance, meth.

Lewis County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher in asking for bail this afternoon told a judge the defendant has only misdemeanor crimes on his record, but that prosecutors are concerned with his known gang ties.

Defense attorney Bob Schroeter who represented Palomares for the hearing said his client works in Winlock and has a solid address in Tenino where he’s lived with his mother for at least the past 10 years.

He qualified as indigent and Centralia attorney Don Blair was appointed to handle his case.

Judge Nelson Hunt ordered him held on $25,000 bail pending trial.

According to charging documents, a police informant twice last month purchased $40 worth of meth from Palomares, and then yesterday bought $50 more while police were conducting surveillance.

A search made today of the impounded vehicle turned up the pre-recorded buy money as well as “paraphernalia” confirming his association with the local LVL gang, according to charging documents.

Palomares once was one of four individuals suspected as being involved in a drive-by shooting in Chehalis that occurred in 2010. Nobody was injured, but a vehicle was shot. That case fell apart because of witness issues, according to Meagher.

Delivery of methamphetamine is a class B felony with a maximum penalty of 10 yeas in prison and a $20,000 fine.
•••

For background, read “Last suspect from summer 2010 drive-by shooting in Chehalis now accounted for” from Wednesday October 3, 2012, here

Illness and delay plagued Winlock rape case ends with lengthy prison term

Tuesday, June 25th, 2013
2013.0625.leobunker.sentenced_2

Leo B. Bunker, right, consults with his attorney Michael Underwood as he is sentenced in Lewis County Superior Court to prison for rape.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A 53-year-old Winlock man convicted of raping his wife was sentenced today to 38 years in prison.

Leo B. Bunker III, who denied the accusations when he took the witness stand during his trial earlier this month, filed a notice of appeal following this morning’s court hearing, but suffers from advanced throat cancer.

Bunker’s lawyer called it a virtual life sentence even without the illness; a prosecutor indicated it was well-deserved.

“He is incredibly dangerous, ” Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Joely O’Rourke told the judge. “He will absolutely get out and either kill (the victim) or hurt someone else.”

Bunker was arrested in late 2011 after deputies were told he physically abused the woman he reunited with some 35 years after they dated in high school. The victim testified he quickly became possessive and violent, preventing her from talking on the phone or leaving the house and terrifying her with cruel and sadistic threats.

She described how she went through with their wedding, because she didn’t think she could get away from him and still make sure she and her family would be safe.

O’Rourke today read a statement from the victim in which she wrote when “Buddy” came back into her life, it reminded her of better times, but she quickly came to fear him and would do just about anything to avoid his rage.

Bunker was convicted by on June 6, as charged, of two counts of second-degree rape, one count of harassment and two counts of violating a protection order. The jury found “aggravating circumstances” which allowed for additional time on his sentence.

On the advice of her doctor, the victim stayed away from today’s proceedings, according to O’Rourke. She sufferers from a coronary condition so serious her doctors told her could kill her if she testified.

Bunker’s older sister however was in the courtroom in support of her sibling.

“It’s one thing to go to prison for things you did, but it’s wrong when you didn’t,” Debra Tsugawa said.

Tsugawa said she doesn’t know if her brother will live long enough to see through his appeal.

She said her brother was diagnosed in August of last year with an aggressive cancer while he was locked up awaiting trial, but his treatment was delayed until January and by then it had spread to his lymph glands and thyroid.

Because he is in the custody of the jail, Lewis County has been responsible for paying for his medical care. As of two weeks ago, the bills had added up to more than $250,000, according to Lewis County Jail Chief Kevin Hanson.

The sentencing was initially scheduled for next month, while waiting for a pre-sentencing report from the state Department of Corrections.

Hanson reported to the Lewis County Board of Commissioners two weeks ago, that he asked Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer to ask DOC to expedite the report because Bunker needed further significant medical procedures before then.

Judge James Lawler today ordered Bunker to pay more than $2,000 in fines, fees and reimbursements such as for his defense attorney and his time in jail. Lawler said he is also ordering the medical costs to be repaid if prosecutors can provide evidence that’s allowable.

Bunker may have no contact with the victim for life and will be on community supervision after his release for the rest of his life.

•••

For background, read “Lewis County rape case plagued with delays hits another hurdle” from  Friday May 31, 2013, here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Monday, June 24th, 2013

POLICE: BIKE-JACKER CAUGHT

• Centralia police arrested the 34-year-old driver of a car that nearly ran into a building yesterday and allegedly briefly stole a bicycle from an individual who stopped to help, in an attempt to flee the scene. It happened about 6:50 p.m. at the the 800 block of Vienna Street. Responding officers detained Sergio Paramo-Rangel, 34 of Centralia, and booked him into the Lewis County Jail for attempted second-degree robbery, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police say they believe Paramo-Rangel was intoxicated when he went through a stop sign and ran into the concrete step in front of the north door of the old Logan School. Thirty-one-year-old Christian G. Delossantos, 31 of Centralia, was arrested about 20 minutes later in connection with the same general location for a warrant, although it’s not clear if his situation was related. Further details were not readily available.

TRESPASSERS EVADE POLICE, BRIEFLY

• Centralia police responded to a vacant residence on the 1300 block of North Pearl Street about 11:30 a.m. yesterday and sent in a police dog when two individuals wouldn’t come out. Police say Michael E. Bieker, 27,  and Kathryn R. Daily, 28, both of Centralia, were hiding in the attic. Bieker was bit on the arm, according to police. The pair reportedly escaped out a trap door into the kitchen but were then detained. Both were arrested and booked into the Lewis County jail for trespass and obstructing, according to the Centralia Police Department.

THEFT

• Sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. yesterday, someone stole a 2002 Honda Civic from where it was parked on the 100 block of Sommerville Road near Napavine, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

• Centralia police were called yesterday to the 400 block of West Magnolia Street regarding unspecified items which had been stolen from the home over the previous “couple months.” Further details were not readily available.

• A 12-ton hydraulic jack and a chainsaw were stolen from a barn on the 100 block of Naylor Road near Mossyrock, according to a report taken by a deputy on Friday. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported this morning it happened between 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and 6:30 a.m. on Friday.

• Chehalis police were called to the 900 block of Southwest 21st Avenue about missing pain pills as well as some jewelry and some money on Friday morning.

• Police were called to the 1900 block of South Market Boulevard in Chehalis about the apparent theft of mail by the victim who said someone returned a piece of missing mail to him on Friday morning.

VANDALISM

• Someone broke several windows out of a Dodge Durango parked in its driveway on the 5400 block block of Jackson Highway outside Toledo sometime between midnight and 12:30 a.m. on Friday, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported today.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrest for driving under the influence; responses for family dispute, alarms, fender benders … and more.

News brief: Salkum fire department plans house fires

Friday, June 21st, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Lewis County Fire District 8 will be burning down a house tomorrow in the Onalaska area, as they practice fighting fire.

The training at the 200 block of Gore Road will begin at 8 a.m. and last until 3 p.m., according to Chief Duran McDaniel.

Joining them will be personnel from fire districts in Mossyrock and Onalaska, according to McDaniel.

It will happen again on Thursday evening beginning at 7 p.m. with a second house, at the 2300 block of U.S. Highway 12 in Salkum. McDaniel said that should last about four hours.

Both houses, built in the 1930s, were donated to the fire department, he said.

News brief: Chick warming lamp may have ignited fire

Friday, June 21st, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A fire that destroyed a chicken coop in north Centralia this afternoon appears it may have involved a heat lamp, according to Riverside Fire Authority.

Assistant Chief Rick Mack said he thinks the owner lost a few chicks, although he wasn’t certain if they were turkeys or chickens.

It happened around 2:30 p.m. on West Carson Street. The structure was about 12 feet by six feet in size, according to Mack.

He said it is likely accidental.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, June 21st, 2013

Updated at 2:01 p.m.

MACHETE WIELDING PEDESTRIAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

• A man walking along a Centralia street swinging a machete angrily yesterday afternoon found himself at gunpoint after he menaced an approaching officer in an unmarked vehicle. It just before 4 p.m. at 1200 block of North Pearl Street, near Sixth Street, according to the Centralia Police Department. Police say Jeremy D. Leatherman shed his sweatshirt and “flexed” while staring at the officer. A second officer pulled out a gun, Leatherman ran and dropped his machete, Sgt. Kurt Reichert said. There was no explanation as to why he was carrying the garden tool, according to police. “He was spun,” Reichert said. Leatherman was booked into the Lewis County Jail for possession of methamphetamine.

BRAWL LEADS TO FRACTURED FACE BONES

• A 37-year-old client at a Chehalis drug and alcohol treatment center was arrested for second-degree assault yesterday for allegedly breaking bones in a fellow resident’s face during a fight the night before. An officer called to American Behavioral Health on the 500 block of Southeast Washington Avenue learned the 46-year-old victim had been taken to the hospital. Booked into the Lewis County Jail was Billy Joe King, according to the Chehalis Police Department. He is to be be released without charge pending further investigation.

OFFICERS, K-9, TRACK ASSAULT SUSPECT THROUGH “JUNGLE”

• A second person was arrested yesterday for an assault after he was spotted off “Jungle Road” in Centralia and took off running. At about 2:45 p.m. an officer tried to contact some individuals walking in the railroad right away that begins near East Maple Street and after he suspected one who fled was a wanted person, summoned other officers to “set up a perimeter,” according to Sgt. Kurt Reichert. A police dog found 22-year-old Billy J. Bartlett hiding in some brush farther north, according to police. Bartlett, a Centralia resident, was taken to be treated for puncture wounds to his thigh and then booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault, Reichert said. The assault of a male occurred early Tuesday morning in the 1300 block of Windsor Avenue. Damen J. Kroll, 24, Chehalis, was arrested earlier this week for the same incident.

STOLEN FIREARM

• A Chehalis resident reported yesterday someone stole his muzzle loader from under his bed sometime since Sunday. An officer was told the front door had been left unlocked by another occupant who left the home on the 1000 block of Southwest 20th Street, according to the Chehalis Police Department. There are no suspects, police said.

STOLEN SMOKER

• A 60-year-old man from Yelm called the sheriff’s office yesterday after discovering his Brinkmann double-burner smoker was stolen from outside his trailer at a campsite at Taidnapam Park south of Glenoma. The victim said at about 11:30 the night before he heard a small car with a loud muffler pull up and stop. The $200 smoker is green with black paint on the bottom, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

VANDALISM

• Someone broke out a window and tried to kick in a door at the Centralia railroad station last night. Centralia police said a male was seen doing it but no arrest was made.

• Centralia police took reports yesterday of gang-style graffiti left at the baseball field on 900 block of Johnson Road as well as on three buildings and the viaduct in the area of the 100 block of Sixth Street. They seem to be related to one another, according to the Centralia Police Department.

WINLOCK MAN STOPS HOUSE FIRE

• Firefighters were called just before 5 p.m. yesterday to a home on the 900 block of Northeast First Street in Winlock after a resident smelled smoke and discovered a fire burning in a storage area attached to the home. He put it out with a garden hose and the damage was minimal, according to Lewis County Fire District 15. It seemed it might have ignited from an improperly disposed of cigarette butt, Assistant Chief Kevin Anderson said.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• A 38-year-old Randle man was off to prison this morning for 28 years and four months to life following his sentencing this week in Lewis County Superior Court. David C. Haviland was convicted last month of five counts of rape of a child in connection with sexual assaults of a young relative over a three year period beginning when she was 13 years old. After he’s served his minimum sentence, the former longtime Hampton Mill employee will go before an indeterminate sentence review board which will decide if or when he can be released. A judge signed an order prohibiting Haviland from contact with the victim for the rest of his life. His attorney filed a notice of appeal.

TRUCK VERSUS TREE

• A 63-year-old Randle man was airlifted after he suffered severe injuries when his pickup truck ran off Centralia-Alpha Road and hit a tree yesterday afternoon. Firefighters called about 2:30 p.m. to the scene, east of Logan Hill Road outside Chehalis, had to cut a door off the vehicle to get the patient out, according to Lewis County Fire District 6. He was picked up by a helicopter at a nearby private airstrip off Hewitt Road, according to Firefighter Mike Goodwillie.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor assault, kid caught with marijuana pipe; responses for alarm, disorderly subjects, suspicious circumstances, rock thrown through windshield of parked vehicle, request to get rid of a panhandler, request for help with keys and baby locked inside car … and more.

News brief: Attempted arson discovered at downtown Centralia building

Friday, June 21st, 2013

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Arson investigators are looking into a find yesterday at an old wooden warehouse in downtown Centralia, a spot where someone intentionally set fire to stairs leading into the building.

It’s a scorched area only about four inches by eight inches in size and was cold when he examined it, Riverside Fire Authority Assistant Chief Rick Mack said this morning.

Mack said he doesn’t know if it’s related to the early May arson spree that damaged three churches, a coffee stand and Centerville, the western store at the north end of the Centralia Outlets.

“Clearly it was set intentionally, Mack said.

The building on the 400 block of South Tower Avenue currently has multiple occupants, but originally was Sherwood Forest Farms, according to Mack.

It would have been a very devastating fire if it had not extinguished itself, he said. He said it appeared to have smoldered for a good period of time.

Centralia police said it appeared to have occurred sometime during the past week. Mack said he doesn’t know when it happened.

A team of police and fire personnel are continuing their investigation into the unsolved arsons.

“We’re still looking for information,” Mack said. “If anyone knows or hears anything, we want to talk to them, regardless of how remote they might think it is.”

•••

For background, read “Early May north Centralia church fire could also be arson, officials now say” from Monday May 20, 2013, here