Archive for July, 2014

No charges for Salkum man who shot neighbor

Monday, July 28th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer announced today he will not file any criminal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Travis Shive by a neighbor in Salkum in May.

“While the loss of life is tragic under any circumstances, it appears that Mr. Ritter acted in self defense,” Meyer stated in a formal news release today.

Ritter is Jack L. Ritter, 56, who told deputies he felt threatened because Shive had been on his front porch ranting, accusing him of shooting his dog and refused to leave.

Shive was unarmed, but Meyer said witnesses indicated Shive was the aggressor in the situation.

It happened the evening of May 10 on the 200 block of Stowell Road, about a half block from the Salkum Super market.

Shive had gotten a phone call telling him his dog had been shot by someone in the white house and arrived on his ATV to Ritter’s front yard, according to Meyer. He was at the wrong house, according to Meyer.

Ritter came out of the back of his house armed with .380 semi-automatic handgun, telling Shive to get off his property, he didn’t shoot his dog and Shive was about to go, but then went at Ritter, according to authorities.

Shive died from a gunshot wound that entered his abdomen and traveled into his chest. He was also shot in the left shoulder.

Ritter was afraid for his safety, Meyer said.

In the decline letter Meyer wrote to Lewis County Sheriff’s Office detective Kevin Engelbertson, Meyer wrote that the facts in the matter do not support criminal charges against Ritter.

At trial Ritter would claim self defense and the state would not be able to rebut the claim based on the available evidence, Meyer wrote.

Meyer said in cases where it’s a close call, that’s when he concludes a jury should decide.

He contrasted it with the Ronald Brady case of 2010 when Brady was charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed suspected burglar outside a house he owned in Onalaska. Brady was convicted by a jury of a lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.

“The victim in that case was running away when shot,” Meyer said. “In this case, the victim was engaged in a struggle for a gun.”

The law is clear that a person can act in defense of themselves or others, Meyer said.

“But whether those actions are reasonable are going to be analyzed and scrutinized,” he said.

He said these kinds of cases are very fact specific.

“There isn’t a clear cut, this-is-the-line rule,” Meyer said. “Sometimes it’s going to turn on minute facts.”

More to come

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For background, read “Investigation continues into deadly Salkum dispute” from Wednesday  May 14, 2014, here

Port Orchard boy’s body being recovered from Ohanapecosh River

Monday, July 28th, 2014

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Kayakers navigating the Ohanapecosh River in East Lewis County yesterday afternoon located the teen who fell in earlier this month and recovery efforts are underway today.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office says they began at about 10:30 a.m. today, with deputies and members of Packwood Search and Rescue and Olympic Mountain Rescue.

The 17-year-old from Port Orchard was last seen on July 4 being swept down the extremely swift and cold river after he slipped while taking photographs with friends.

The body is in a difficult spot to reach; it took teams two hours to get to it as the terrain is very steep, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown stated in a news release.

Searchers have been hopeful over the past three and half weeks the water levels would drop so the boy would be found, Brown said.

The sheriff’s office has not named him, but The Kitsap Sun identified him as Josh Osborn.

As of about 1:30 p.m. today, teams were still working on removing the boys’ body from the canyon, according to Brown.

The area is near the Cedar Grove Campground off state Route 123 just south of the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, according to the sheriff’s office.

The same day Osborn drowned, an 18-year-old Tacoma resident,  Rashawn J. Hale-Moody, drowned in Alder Lake, at the intersection of Lewis, Thurston and Pierce counties.

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Sunday, July 27th, 2014

ASSAULT

• Centralia police took a report yesterday afternoon from the 500 block of West Roanoke Street regarding an infant child possibly assaulted by its parent. Further details were not readily available, but police say the case remains under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• Centralia police took a report on Friday afternoon from the 300 block of North Tower Avenue from a female who said she was assaulted by her former boss. The situation is under investigation, according to the Centralia Police Department.

MAD DAD

• A 38-year-old Centralia man looking for his runaway daughter was arrested last night after he allegedly let himself into a home on the 200 block of Tilley Avenue in Centralia and confronted the residents there. Officers called about 9:35 p.m. were told Aaron K. Shelton demanded to know where the girl was, threatened to hurt the individuals if they stood in his way of finding her and refused to leave, according to the Centralia Police Department. Shelton was booked into the into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, according to police.

BREAK-IN

• Centralia police called just before midnight about a possible burglary at a vacant building on the 600 block of North Tower Avenue ended up arresting a 26-year-old man from Kelso when he was found with numerous unspecified items he admitted taking, according to the Centralia Police Department. Daniel J. Phillips was booked into the Lewis County Jail for second-degree burglary, according to the Centralia Police Department.

AUTO THEFT

• Centralia police took a report about 10 a.m. on Friday regarding a stolen red 1998 Volkswagen Jetta from the 100 block of South Tower Avenue. The car was taken sometime between 2:45 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., according to the Centralia Police Department. It has a license plate of AOJ 1739, according to police.

BROKEN

• Centralia police took a report about 2:15 a.m. today of a window getting broken on a vehicle at the 300 block of West Plum Street.

FROM THE COURTHOUSE

• A man who recently finished his prison term for a sex offense agreed to be locked up at the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island instead of going through a trial in Lewis County Superior Court. The civil trial for Jerry Mullins began and ended on the same day a week ago Friday, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors from the attorney general’s sexually violent predator unit were fighting to prevent Mullins’ release to the community, originally scheduled for June, according to a spokesperson for the office. Mullins, now 40 years old, was convicted about 25 years ago of of rape of a child in the first degree and statutory rape in the first degree. In 2008, he was convicted of an additional sex offense involving a child, according to spokesperson Alison Dempsey-Hall. He had been temporarily confined at the center, according to Dempsey-Hall. In a news release this past week, Dempsey-Hall said that on July 18, Mullins agreed to a stipulated order acknowledging he met the definition of a sexually violent predator. Since 1990, in Washington state, individuals can be locked back up – after serving their criminal sentence – indefinitely under the involuntary civil commitment law.

WRECK

• A motorcycle rider was hospitalized yesterday afternoon following a collision with a vehicle at North Pearl Avenue and Sixth Street in Centralia. Police called just after 3 p.m. report he was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital where he was treated and has been released.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrest for warrants, obstruction, driving under the influence, driving with suspended license, misdemeanor theft,  misdemeanor assault, reckless driving; responses for violation of protection order, collisions on city streets … and more.

Centralia K-9 officer authorized back to work after fatal shooting

Friday, July 25th, 2014

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news

Centralia Police Department Chief Bob Berg announced yesterday Officer Ruben Ramirez would be returned to normal patrol duties following a finding by a use of force review board that the officer acted appropriately when he shot and killed a suspect last month.

Berg said in a news release he remained confident since the beginning, the 15-year veteran of the department acted properly and used sound tactics in accordance with policies and procedures.

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Lobo

“I am thankful that he was not hurt and am confident that he will continue his excellent law enforcement service to the residents of our community,” Berg stated. “I am also pleased and grateful that his partner, Police Service Dog Lobo, was with him that day.  I truly believe that the K-9 was instrumental in saving the life of Officer Ramirez.”

It was the morning of June 29 and police were called to a shoplifting incident a the Chevron service station on the corner of South Tower Avenue and East Cherry Street. Ramirez contacted two individuals, and released his K-9 partner when 43-year-old Paul M. Edmundson pulled away from him, according to the Lewis County prosecutor’s summary of the investigation.

As the two men and the German Shepherd fought on the ground, Ramirez detected Edmundson began pulling a handgun from beneath his clothing, backed up and told him to drop it and after hearing a “click”, fired one shot, the summary of the outside investigation concluded.

Edmundson, who was going by the name Christopher Matthews didn’t steal the burritos, but Ramirez recognized the name on his identification as a suspect in an assault two days earlier, according to the investigation.

Edmundson had arrived to Centralia about a month earlier and was staying with his girlfriend  Pepper Tree Motel and RV Park.

The investigative team of detectives from surrounding police agencies was headed up by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Ben Elkins. Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer concluded from their reports last week Ramirez’s use of deadly force was justified.

An internal use-of-force review board then convened and made its recommendation to the chief of police.

Berg said the panel included chiefs from Tumwater and Chehalis, a chief deputy from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, a Centralia police officer selected by Ramirez and a police commander from the Centralia Police Department.

Centralia police’s initial description of the events included Lobo grabbing the suspect’s arm preventing him from pulling his hand out of his pocket, but then briefly releasing his hold and then as Edmundson pulled out the handgun, biting onto his arm again.

It’s the second time this year a Centralia officer has shot and killed someone. In February, an officer fired eight shots at a 48-year-old Westport man staying at the Lakeview Inn after a night time encounter in a nearby residential neighborhood when the man refused to drop a knife. He too was cleared.
•••

For background, read “Centralia officer cleared in deadly bank parking lot shooting” from Tuesday July 22, 2014, here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Friday, July 25th, 2014

LIFESAVERS AT WORK

• Chehalis Fire Department Chief Rob Gebhart is giving credit to a man’s co-workers for helping save his life yesterday. Firefighters called about 4:45 p.m. to an office on the 1500 block of North National Avenue found them doing CPR on an individual Gebhart guessed was in his 60s. They took over, then medics performed further treatment and the patient had his own pulse by the time he was loaded up in an ambulance, Gebhart said. Initiating CPR right away is critical in such cases, he said. “If there’s CPR going on when we get there, we know we have a pretty good chance,” he said. The man was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital.

CHASE THEN CRASH

• A police pursuit that began at Denny’s restaurant in Chehalis ended when the vehicle the wanted subject was driving crashed into a guard rail a few miles south at exit 71 of Interstate 5 yesterday. Keith J. Rose, 37, from Chehalis, fled on foot but was caught in a field about 200 yards away, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. It began around 12:30 p.m. when deputies got information Rose was waiting for his girlfriend outside the Law and Justice Center in Chehalis and was subsequently found at the eatery at exit 76, according to the sheriff’s office. When confronted, Rose sped out of the parking lot, with deputies behind him, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said. He was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital with what he said severe pain to his chest and back and will be booked into the Lewis County Jail upon his release, Brown said. He was wanted for outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants, she said.

POLICE: WOMAN HITS POLICE OFFICER

• A 33-year-old woman being escorted with her child by an officer from a residence where she was no longer wanted allegedly struck the officer and was arrested for third-degree assault last night. Police were called about 11:30 p.m. to the 400 block of North Oak Street and ended up booking Misty C. Crossland into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

BRASS KNUCKLES

• Chehalis police called about 10:40 p.m. yesterday about an argument between a man and a woman at the 600 block of West Main Street ended up jailing them both. An arriving officer saw 21-year-old Kevin Hinzpeter of Centralia drop a backpack and a pair of brass knuckles, according to the Chehalis Police Department. He was arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon, department spokesperson Linda Bailey said. Cimmarron Bale-Fooks, 19, from Olympia, was arrested for being in violation of a no contact order regarding Hinzpeter, Bailey said. Because she initially gave the officer false names, she was also booked for that, Bailey said.

VANDALISM

• Centralia police took a report this morning of two windows broken out of a vehicle parked at a home on the 3200 block of Russell Road. Officers have no suspect information, according to the Centralia Police Department.

LOST AND FOUND

• The Lewis County Coroner’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding the owner of a box containing cremated remains which was discovered earlier this month at the dump. The box made of dark wood was found on July 10 at the Centralia Transfer Station, according to Coroner Warren McLeod. It is secured with a screw on the bottom, but there are no markings, names or tags with it, he said. McLeod said he assumes it may have been discarded by someone who did not know what was inside and that a family would want them back. Anyone with information can call 360-740-1376.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrest for warrants, driving under the influence; responses for alarms, stolen bicycle, collision on city street, suspicious circumstances  … and more.

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Wood box found at Centralia garbage transfer station on July 10, 2014.

Notes from behind the news: We want your DB Cooper look alike photos, of you and your pet

Friday, July 25th, 2014
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Deadline is end of the day Monday to enter DB Cooper look alike contest, win tickets to Aug. 2 music festival.

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – Who would like a pair of free tickets to next week’s DB Cooper Music Festival?

The all day event has decided to touch down this year in Chehalis / Centralia, at the mid-point of the famed 1971 Portland to Seattle flight skyjacking.

It’s a full day of music on three stages, including performances by Curtis Salgado, Maria Muldaur, Vicci Martinez, Ethan Tucker, Bump Kitchen, Alice Stuart, The Brown Edition and many others. Blues, rock, jazz, bluegrass, soul, folk, funk, southern rock, beachy and more.

How to win a pair of tickets?

Between now and the end of the day on Monday, share with us your DB Cooper look alike photos of you and your pet.

Post on Lewis County Sirens Facebook page, or email it to me at adminsharyn@lewiscountysirens.com and I will share on the Facebook group.

The best three will each find themselves with tickets to attend what promises to be a knock-your-socks-off-day.

It’s an $80 value. Tickets at the door are $40 apiece. Purchase in advance, and they are only $35.

It’s a 21 and over event, and no, I’m sorry, your pet can’t come, even if it’s part of the winning picture.

LewisCountySirens.com joins the Weekly Volcano, KITI Live95 and numerous other sponsors in welcoming the the DB Cooper Music Festival on Saturday Aug. 2, at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds.

The event is an Exit 104 Media Inc. production.
•••

DB Cooper Music Festival
Two dozen or so acts – enough for three different stages – featuring blues, folk, funk, soul, rock, jazz, bluegrass, southern rock, beachy and more.
When: Saturday, Aug 2, 2014 doors open at around 11 a.m.
Where: Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, 2555 North National Avenue, Chehalis, Wash.
Ticket Price: $35 if purchased in advance, otherwise $40
Restrictions: 21 & over, ID required
Parking: $5 per vehicle
For all the details: http://dbcoopermusicfestival.com/index.shtm
Tickets sales online, here

Sharyn’s Sirens: Daily police and fire roundup

Thursday, July 24th, 2014

Updated at 1:07 p.m.

POLICE: MAN IN WHEELCHAIR ACCOSTED

• A 47-year-old homeless man was jailed last night for disorderly conduct after he allegedly threatened to beat up a man in a wheelchair. Officers called about 8:30 p.m. to the parking lot at Country Cousin on the 1000 block of Harrison Avenue were told by Wesley A. Lamp he was upset because the 38-year-old man piloting the power wheel chair ran into him and knocked him to the ground, according to the Centralia Police Department. Witnesses didn’t see that, but they did see Lamp standing over the man and grabbing at the orange flag on the back of the chair, and hear him say he would rip the man’s head off his shoulders, Officer John Panco said. The 38-year-old said he was not assaulted, but did have to push the subject away, Panco said. Lamp was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail, according to police.

POLICE: WOMAN PUNCHES DOC OFFICER

• A 21-year-old Chehalis woman was arrested yesterday at the Department of Corrections office in Chehalis as when she was being taken back into custody, she reportedly punched a DOC officer in the face. Police called about 11:45 a.m. to the office at the Lewis County Mall arrested Nicole J.J. Duff for third-degree assault, according to the Chehalis Police Department. They were told she slipped and was injured, so she was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital to be medically cleared before being booked into the Lewis County Jail, detective Sgt. Gary Wilson said.

CAR PROWL

• Centralia police took a report about 6 o’clock this morning regarding a vehicle prowl at the 900 block of Marion Street.

• The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reports this morning on two vehicle prowls in the same neighborhood in which only about $200 worth of items were stolen. But, after the overnight thefts in the 200 block of Alderbrook Drive, outside Chehalis, here’s what’s missing: house key, mailbox key, two remote garage door openers and two remote gate openers, as well as reading glasses and a flashlight, according to the sheriff’s office. It happened sometime after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and before 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

WRECKS

• A 29-year-old Centralia woman told police she lost control of the back end of her 1995 Chevrolet Camaro as she took a corner at the 700 block of South Gold Street last night. There was lots of broken glass but no damage to the utility pole, according to the Centralia Police Department.

• A 76-year-old driver hospitalized after a single-vehicle wreck yesterday on U.S. Highway 12 in Salkum has been treated and released. Troopers called about 12:45 p.m. to the area near milepost 76 found the eastbound Ford Ranger pickup ran into the ditch, and the rolled coming to rest upside down. The truck was totaled, according to the Washington State Patrol. Lynn W. Warnstadt was injured and transported to Providence Centralia Hospital, according to the state patrol. The investigating trooper reports an unspecified medical issue caused the wreck.

• A 16-year-old boy was transported to Morton General Hospital after his bicycle was struck by a Lincoln Towncar as he crossed U.S. Highway 12 at Mossyrock earlier today. Troopers and firefighters called about 10:40 a.m. found the bicycle was southbound onto Williams Street and the sedan driven by a 74-year-old Randle man was westbound. Lewis County Fire District 3 Chief Doug Fosburg said others had already moved the teen to the side of the road when he arrived. The injuries are very minor, Fosburg said. “He was almost across and it hit the back tire on the left side,” he said. “It was more of a clip.” The damage to the car and to the bike was little enough the state patrol described it as non reportable. Domonic M. Holmes, a Mossyrock resident, failed to stop at the red light before crossing the highway, according to the Washington State Patrol.

AND MORE

• And as usual, other incidents such as arrest for warrants, shoplifting, misdemeanor assault, driving with suspended license; responses for alarms, disputes, collisions on city streets, suspicious circumstances, report of small child left alone in vehicle that turned out to be unfounded  … and more.