Archive for February, 2014

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Updated at 12:23 p.m.

MAN CUT, GIRLFRIEND BOOKED

• Deputies were called about 12:30 a.m. today to a report from a 40-year-old resident at the 800 block of Cline Road in Randle that he had been stabbed by two males that entered his home. Arriving deputies concluded the assailant was actually his 29-year-old live-in girlfriend, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The victim had lacerations to his hand but declined aid, Sgt. Rob Snaza said. Kelly A. Holen was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree assault, as well as misdemeanor warrants, according to Snaza.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A gray 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe was reported stolen yesterday from the 3000 block of South Gate Drive outside Centralia. The victim said it vanished sometime after 8 p.m. on  Wednesday and before 1 p.m. yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It has a license plate reading AIT5247.

Police were called about 3 p.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Northeast Debra Lane in Chehalis where an individual said their 14-year-old grandson stole their 2007 GMC pickup. The teen was later taken into custody after a subsequent pursuit in Winlock, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

BURGLARY AND THEFT

• Deputies responded about 6:30 a.m. yesterday to the 100 block of Riblin Road outside Chehalis where someone had broken into a shop overnight and made off with a significant amount of tools, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Locks were cut and surveillance images indicate it may have occurred about 2 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning that a deputy took a report on Wednesday morning of a night time break-in to a truck business on the 100 block of Barnes Drive near Toledo. Someone used a pry bar at a back entry and made off with $300 cash, according to the sheriff’s office.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning that a deputy took a report on Wednesday night of a burglary at the 100 block of Smokey Ridge Road in Onalaska in which numerous power tools, including a table saw, were stolen, totaling about $900.

• Chehalis police were called about 3 p.m. on Wednesday to a home on Southwest William Avenue where the back door was kicked in. Police suspect it may be a person know to the resident, according to the Chehalis Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report about 5 p.m. yesterday from the 400 block of West Plum Street of someone breaking through a fence and stealing a set of wheels.

ALCOHOL AT SCHOOL

• Centralia police responded about 9:30 a.m. yesterday to the 800 block of Eshom Road where a 15-year-old girl was cited and then released for allegedly being in possession of alcohol at school.

OVERNIGHT WRECK

• Responders had to go through a sun roof earlier this morning to extricate a motorist who rolled his Jeep several times near U.S. Highway 12 and Old Highway 99 in Grand Mound. It was about 12:30 a.m. and the vehicle came to rest about 50 yards behind the AM/PM store, according to West Thurston Regional Fire Authority. The lone occupant, a man in his 20s or 30s, was transported to Providence St. peter Hospital in Olympia, Chief Robert Scott said.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarms, disputes, shoplifting, suspicious circumstances, possible protection order violation, possible burglary that turned out to be unfounded, marijuana found in cell at Green Hill School, collisions on city streets, collision with a cow on a county road … and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

VADER MOBILE HOME FIRE STOPPED IN THE NIGHT

• Fire broke out inside a Vader home during the night, drawing members of Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20 to the 500 block of C Street. Crews called about 2:30 a.m. attacked the flames from both inside and outside the single-wide mobile home, according to Fire Chief Richard Underdahl. The resident said she was reading when she smelled something and checked her wood stove and even went outside to look at the chimney, Underdahl said. When she came back in, she saw flames around the ceiling tile, he said. “We were able to knock it down and keep the flames contained to to the living room, kitchen area,” he said. The woman was treated at the scene for chest pain and trouble breathing, perhaps mostly from the stress of getting her pets and some belongings out, he said. Underdahl said two small birds were evacuated. Firefighters were called back about 6 a.m. today, when someone observed some books on a shelf smoking, he said. One half of the mobile home was left untouched, but she is staying with friends or family, he said. The cause is under investigation.

NIGHT TIME INTRUDER STEALS FAMILY VEHICLE

• Police are investigating an incident in Mossyrock in which someone apparently broke into a home, stole a key and then made off with a vehicle while a family slept. An officer called about 6 o’clock on Tuesday morning to the 100 block of Hazel Street found there were pry marks on the back door, according to the Morton Police Department. The perpetrator was gone when the residents woke up, there was no contact, Police Chief Dan Mortensen said. “They kind of prowled around the bathroom, found a key and stole a (Dodge) Durango,” Mortensen said. “It was white.” Mortensen, who didn’t handle the call himself, said he is going to be looking into the incident further today. He said he understood there were cars prowled in two other locations in the area during the same time frame.

UNRULY CLIENT ARRESTED BY FEDS

• Centralia police were called to the Social Security office on the 1800 block of Cooks Hill Road about 11:15 a.m. yesterday when an individual became uncooperative after being told by a security person he couldn’t bring a knife into a federal building. Anthony N. Parkins, 32, from Raymond, was arrested for obstruction of a federal law enforcement officer as well as outstanding King County warrants, according to the Centralia Police Department. He was taken to be booked in the federal detention center, Sgt. Carl Buster said.

Deputy Sgt. Snaza kicks off campaign for sheriff of Lewis County

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
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Rob Snaza addresses a large gathering this morning in Chehalis as fundraising begins in earnest for his campaign to be elected sheriff.

Updated at 9:24 p.m.

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – While Deputy Sgt. Rob Snaza announced via Facebook nearly a year ago he was running for sheriff of Lewis County, his campaign kick off breakfast this morning attracted some 150 individuals.

Current Sheriff Steve Mansfield told the crowd he endorsed him; his twin brother Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza introduced him.

Snaza told those assembled at the Lewis County Veterans Museum in Chehalis one of his three focuses will be rooting out career criminals.

“I’m going to go after those individuals dealing drugs and committing burglaries,” he said.

Mansfield spoke of the sergeant’s passion for making felony arrests – having been involved in more of them than any other deputy during Mansfield’s time with the office, Snaza spoke of carrying out requests by the sheriff to track people down.

“I’ve had to tell these people, I do not want you in this community, if you don’t want to be a true comitter,” Snaza said.

Mansfield called Snaza a responsible, respectful, fair and caring person who has been preparing himself for the post. Mansfield said he’s already been sharing some of the ins and outs of the position with him. And he offered a thought about the role of the sheriff.

“People don’t really care how much you know in this job, they only want to know you care,” Mansfield said.

Snaza’s other areas of interest should he be elected will be continuing to provide a no-frills jail and community partnerships, wanting to be in the schools, in the neighborhoods and involved with business and community leaders, he said.

Snaza is the SWAT leader and also the supervisor of the  Lewis County Regional Crime Task Force. He’s also one of three elected persons on the board of commissioners for Lewis County Fire District 5 in Napavine, where he says he’s learned about budgeting.

Earlier this month, he was one of two deputies to be presented with Mansfield’s new Guardian Award.

“If you can find someone more passionate, I want to meet him,” Rob Snaza said.

Snaza is running as a Republican. His brother, who ran as an Independent in 2010 in Thurston County, is running now for a second term.

He asked for the support of those gathered. Mark Anders of the Lewis County Republicans asked for their contributions.

Records filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission indicate a little more than $6,000 cash raised on behalf of Sgt. Snaza’s candidacy since he registered last June.

Snaza is the chair of the Citizens to Elect Rob Snaza, his wife Jennie Snaza is the vice-chair and the treasurer is listed as Debbie Hamilton of Chehalis.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

ARSON ATTEMPT IN WINLOCK

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning that someone tried to set fire to a Winlock man’s truck while it was parked in his driveway. The 57-year-old from Otter Fox Lane called 911 on Monday morning after finding the vehicle’s door ajar and a burned box of tissue on the seat, according to the sheriff’s office. He said he had parked it unlocked about 4:30 p.m. on Friday and made the discovery about 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. It left a large burn spot that will cost about $100 to repair, according to Brown.

BEE ON THE LOOKOUT

• Someone stole a beehive from the Fort Borst Park garden sometime during the past two weeks. Police called yesterday to the 2000 block of Borst Avenue describe the hive as lavender and bright blue, a wooden box with a metal top.

STORAGE UNIT PILFERED

• Someone cut a lock from a storage unit in Silver Creek and stole more than $1,000 worth of valuables including 32-inch television, an HP computer monitor, a stereo system, a Husky rolling tool chest and four wine goblets, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy responding yesterday to the 100 block of Chief Umptux Road learned the break-in occurred sometime since mid-January, according to the sheriff’s office.

RIDE BE GONE

• Police were called just before 4 p.m. yesterday to the 800 block of West First Street in Centralia when someone stole a Mongoose BMX bicycle while its owner was in a store. The suspect was described as a male walking with another male and a pit bull, according to the Centralia Police Department. The bike had red grips, police report.

VEHICLE PROWL

• A 22-year-old Morton resident was arrested yesterday evening after he was observed prowling at least two vehicles in the Chehalis Jack-in-the-Box parking lot. An officer responding about 6:30 p.m. to Interstate Avenue was told he knew the vehicle’s owners, but at least one of them said that wasn’t so, according to the Chehalis Police Department. Nothing was taken so Jence S. Sawyer was arrested for attempted vehicle prowl and then released, according to police.

INTERFERING WITH POLICE

• Centralia police responding about 10:20 p.m. yesterday to an underage drinking party at the 800 block of West Pear Street arrested two individuals for obstruction. Stephanie M. Morales-Felix, 20, and Angel R. Morales-Felix, 19 both of Centralia, were booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department. Just before 11 p.m. in the same area, a third person – 21-year-old Centralian Adrian G. Torresdrahos– was arrested for interfering with a police investigation and booked for the same alleged offense.

WRECK

• A 41-year-old Centralia woman was arrested last night for driving under the influence of alcohol after allegedly crashing her car into a light pole in Centralia and then running away. Officers responding about 5 p.m. to North Gold and East Main streets say Kimberly K. Torres fled to a friend’s house where she was subsequently located. Torres was booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, driving with suspended license; responses for alarms, suspicious circumstances, rock-throwing girls, collisions on city streets, shoplifting and other misdemeanor thefts, a homeless person’s campfire built near train tracks … and more.

News brief: Crab feed Saturday in Tenino

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The fire department in Tenino is holding its annual fundraiser this coming Saturday, a crab feed.

Doors open at 3 p.m. at the station and they will stop serving at 7 p.m., according to Tina Vanderhoof, administrative chief for Thurston County Fire District 12.

The event, hosted by the Thurston County 12 Firefighters Association, is held to raise money for equipment that isn’t covered in their budget.

Last year with the money that came in, they purchased new bunk beds, extra long ones that made some of the taller volunteers very happy, Vanderhoof said. A portion of the proceeds was also shared with various youth groups, she said.

Tickets are $30. On the menu is crab, spaghetti and more.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

SMELLS LIKE SCAM

• Centralia police took a report yesterday from the 1500 block of South Gold Street regarding what they think is an overseas company that enticed the victim to order two cell phones for $200 and shipped her perfume instead. The female who contacted police yesterday said she sent a money order for her expected items after getting a phone solicitation from “T-max”, according to the Centralia Police Department. She called the business to complain about the mixup, and despite assurances they would send a refund, they haven’t, according to police.

INTRUDERS

• A deputy was called to a building belonging to the state Department of Natural Resources in Morton about noon yesterday regarding a break-in that occurred sometime since last Tuesday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Someone damaged the shop entry door at the 500 block of state Route 7, although it didn’t appear they took anything, according to the sheriff’s office.

• A 17-year-old girl was arrested for trespassing overnight after an officer observed wet foot prints leading up to a vacant house and found her in its basement. It was about 1:20 a.m. at the 1100 block of Southeast Washington Avenue in Chehalis, according to police. Officers suspect people have been going inside the residence to use drugs, according to the Chehalis Police Department. The girl was turned over to a relative, detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said.

VEHICLE THEFT

• A 1993 Chevrolet S10 pickup truck was discovered missing yesterday morning from a business on the 1600 block of Lum Road in Centralia. A deputy called to investigate learned it must have been taken between 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and 7:30 a.m. yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It has a license plate reading B61647W, according to the sheriff’s office.

DRUGS

• A 22-year-old Centralia resident was arrested last night for possession of methamphetamine when he was picked up on an outstanding warrant. Tanner Z.R. Russell, was booked into the Lewis County Jail after contact with an officer about 11:45 p.m. at the 400 block of West Main Street, according to the Centralia Police Department.

WRECK

U.S. Highway 12 near White Pass was closed for several hours after an eastbound semi truck driver lost control on a corner, struck the guard rail and jackknifed blocking all lanes. Troopers responding just before 3 a.m. to the scene 18 miles east of Packwood report the driver declined aid. The 2014 International hauling two trailers was towed and the road reopened just before 8:30 a.m., according to authorities. James L. Lavine, 31, from Eatonville, was to be cited for speed too fast for conditions, according to the Washington State Patrol.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrests for warrants, domestic misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license; responses for possible violation of no contact order, collisions on city streets … and more.

Read about deadly Toledo wreck results in two-decade sentence for driver …

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

The (Vancouver) Columbian reports the fatal single-vehicle crash into a power pole in Toledo in November has led to a 20-year sentence for the driver, Jonathon K. Reno, 42, of Vancouver, Wash.

News reporter Paris Achen writes the lengthy term imposed yesterday in Lewis County Superior Court was the result of stiffer sentencing guidelines for vehicular homicide enacted in 2012 and Reno’s extensive history; which included three DUIs and convictions for reckless driving as well as attempted vehicular assault in 2006.

Troopers said Reno was intoxicated and traveling at a high rate of speed when his Honda Accord struck a guard rail and utility pole at Jackson Highway near Ray Road the evening of Nov. 10. His passenger Adam W. Newstrom, 28, of Vancouver, Wash. was killed.

Read more here