By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Lewis County Search and Rescue got back its stolen Honda generator but is still looking for 18 portable radios and other equipment taken when its mobile command trailer was broken into out in Packwood.
A 19-year-old Packwood resident was arrested and charged last week for trafficking in stolen property after he allegedly offered to sell the generator to one individual and then did sell it to another person.
Jesse James Aalmo pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Lewis County Superior Court.
Search and rescue volunteers were preparing to train two weeks ago when they discovered somebody had forced their way inside the trailer parked at the former Hampton Mill in Packwood, and tried to break in to three cargo trailers where their equipment is stored.
Deputies arrested Aalmo on April 11 after talking with a man who said he bought the $550 generator from Aalmo for $100, according to charging documents.
Another man told deputies Aalmo offered to sell him a portable radio for $50, charges documents allege.
Chief Criminal Deputy Gene Seiber said Aalmo didn’t admit to the theft and the sheriff’s office is still hopeful the radios will turn up.
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Read “News brief: Lewis County search and rescue vehicles plundered” from Monday April 4, 2011, here [1]