News brief: Mount Vernon murder suspect picked up in Centralia

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – A man wanted for a homicide in Skagit County was arrested this afternoon by Centralia police at a gas station on Mellen Street.

2017.0517.alberto.alaniz

Alberto F. Alaniz

Alberto F. Alaniz, 39, was wanted on a warrant for first-degree murder for a death that occurred on May 4 near Mount Vernon, according to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. He was described as recently acting erratic and using drugs and was believed to be armed, according to his wanted flyer.

He has ties here, Centralia Police Department Sgt. Kurt Reichert said.

Police got a phone call today from investigators telling them that Alaniz might be at the Chevron station on Mellen Street, Reichert said.

Reichert and two other officers caught up to him in a place where he really had no place to go, Reichert said.

“We went there and arrested him coming out of the bathroom,” Reichert said. “He didn’t fight or anything.”

He was booked into the Lewis County Jail and law enforcement from Skagit County was to come and pick him up, according to Reichert.

The Skagit County Herald reported last week that Alaniz is suspected in the homicide of 36-year-old Miguel Rene Felix. The two had previously lived together, according to the newspaper.

The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office indicated Alaniz previously lived a short time in Salem, Oregon, but his family moved back to Lewis County. He has ties to Mount Vernon, Chehalis, Centralia and Yakima.

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