By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Benjamin S. Alaniz, 26, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges related to allegedly trying to fire a gun repeatedly into the face of an acquaintance on Monday.
[1]Benjamin S. Alaniz
Alaniz is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree attempted robbery, unlawful imprisonment, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
The Chehalis man is being held on $500,000 bail following the events that were reported to have occurred in the back of a car near the Centralia Outlet Mall west of Interstate 5 on Monday afternoon.
Police were told Briana L. Carrothers picked up Nicholas J. George to go buy drugs and Alaniz jumped into the car, put the gun to George and demanded money. Both George and Carrothers said they then heard the gun click several times as if being fired but no shots discharged.
The Lewis County Prosecutors Office said it is contemplating increasing the charges to include attempted second-degree murder.
A trial date was set for the week of September 26.
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Read background here [2]