FLATBED TRUCK HITS CAR, HEDGE, POLE, HOUSE …
• A motorist was arrested for possession of methamphetamine after allegedly driving erratically into Centralia running vehicles off the roadway, striking a car and then crashing through a hedge and into a house on Wednesday evening. The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reported yesterday the commercial flatbed truck clipped the mirror of a big rig on southbound Interstate 5 and then headed north on Harrison Avenue at times passing cars by using the southbound lane and running a red light. The truck hit a 1993 Mercury near Sandra Avenue and lost control before damaging a utility pole and coming to rest against the exterior of the fireplace on a home, according to authorities. Aid, called about 6:20 p.m., determined there were no injuries. The driver had fled the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said the driver was later located by a detective and taken to Providence Centralia Hospital for treatment. Michael J. Emerling, no age or hometown reported, was then booked into the Lewis County Jail for possession of methamphetamine and referred for a myriad of possible other charges, according to Brown. Damage was estimated at about $8,000.
MAN THREATENS TO BURN OCCUPIED VEHICLE, POLICE SAY
• A Centralia man was arrested after he reportedly poured gasoline on an occupied vehicle and threatened to light it on fire Wednesday. Centralia police, called about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday to the incident at the 1000 block of South Gold Street, booked Roger L. Estep, 39, into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree assault, domestic violence. He was released from jail after a scheduled court appearance yesterday afternoon.
SAFE STOLEN IN FARM STORE BURGLARY
• Somebody circumvented an alarm system, got inside Del’s Farm Supply store in Chehalis and made off with a safe, Chehalis police said yesterday. An officer called about 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday to the business on the 2500 block of Northeast Kresky Avenue was told the backdoor was found unlocked. Chehalis police detective Rick Silva said it contained a “fair amount of money.”
HONDA TAKEN IN CENTRALIA
• Centralia police were called yesterday to the 500 block of North Iron Street where a black 1986 Honda had been stolen overnight. The four-door car has black rims, tinted windows and a license plate reading 836 YZZ, according to the Centralia Police Department.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY WHILE RESIDENT IS AT HOME
• Sheriff’s deputies were called about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday when a Morton area woman said she was sitting at her kitchen table and somebody attempted to come in the front door of her home. The door at the residence on the 100 block of Klasey Road was locked and the subject did not get inside, apparently fleeing before a deputy arrived, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
ARREST FOR FALSE REPORTING
• A 34-year-old Centralia man was jailed yesterday for attempting to make a false report and get another person arrested. Alvin R. Stonechocker was arrested for false reporting after contact with an officer about 2:30 p.m. at the 1400 block of Johnson Road, according to the Centralia Police Department. Details on his claim weren’t readily available.
VAN CONSUMED BY FIRE
• Riverside Fire Authority called to a vehicle fire on Wednesday night at the corner of Yew and Main streets in Centralia found a passenger van fully engulfed in flames. Assistant Chief Rick Mack said the driver noticed smoke coming from the dashboard area and considered popping the hood but the fire was too far along. The vehicle was destroyed. Mack said it appeared a piece of cardboard placed next to the battery had ignited.
GRAFFITI FOUND
• Police called yesterday morning to the 100 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia took a report of gang-style graffiti on a fence.
• On Wednesday morning, an officer took a report of graffiti spray painted onto the wall of a building at the 1200 block of Harrison Avenue in Centralia.
CAR PROWL
• Centralia police took a report of a car prowl about 6:40 a.m. yesterday at the 1400 block of Lewis Street. Among the items taken from the unlocked vehicle were CDs, according to the Centralia Police Department.
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