Crime and Injury report 09.18.13

Arrests & Referrals

Vader man booked for meth, warrant

A Vader man was arrested for drugs and outstanding warrant Sept. 8, according to the Centralia Police Department

Victor J. Hobbs, 24, was contacted on the 600 block of Main St. at around 5 p.m. in response to reports of an individual yelling and wandering in and out of traffic.

After interviewing the suspect, he was booked for possession of methamphetamine as well as an outstanding warrant related to second-degree criminal trespassing and resisting arrest.

Vader man attacks ex-gf

A Vader man was being sought by authorities after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend Sept. 11, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were still attempting to locate Bernard J. Smith, 63, after responding to a residence on the 700 block of C St. around 10 p.m. after the 36-year-old female victim called to report Smith had entered her house and attacked her.

The suspect had fled by the time authorities arrived and it was last reported they were still seeking him on a charge of assault, second degree.

Former Toledo cashiers arrested for theft

Two Toledo residents have been arrested following an alleged attempt to scam their old employer, according to the Toledo Police Department.

Marisa R. Frost, 20, and Lacey L. Martin, 27, were arrested Sept. 9 after an investigation into unapproved charges on the account of a co-owner of Toledo Red Apple Market. It appears the pair had made roughly $6,200 in unapproved purchases of Visa prepaid gift cards between April and August, taking turns as one rang up the other and charged the cards to the victim’s account.

Police reported both had voluntarily terminated their employment at the market shortly the investigation began, and both were booked into the Lewis County Jail for first-degree theft and possession of stolen property.

Ongoing Investigations

Those with information about ongoing investigations are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (360) 740-1266 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-748-6422.

Deputies respond to Winlock burglary

Deputies responded to a burglary reported near Winlock Thursday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The resident of a house on the 100 block of Nikula Rd. reported someone had forced entry into the residence after 11 a.m. and stole a Winchester .22 rifle, an Xbox with games, a laptop computer and jewelry.

Police reports refute caretaker’s account of Kemp Olson assault

Official police reports of an Aug. 16 attack on Toledo Park Caretaker Ric Kindle have directly refuted information published by Town Crier Aug. 21, in which we described the attack based solely on Kindle’s testimony.

Interviews conducted by a responding officer conclude, while Kindle had approached a stranger during the evening, later identified as Toledo resident Joseph W. Clift, 34, to inform Clift the park was closed, the attacker did not immediately follow Kindle back to his trailer and assault him. Instead, it is reported they spent around 40 minutes sharing a six-pack of beer between them before an argument broke out that resulted in Kindle being attacked. The responding officer added the extent of Kindle’s injuries did not match the rhetoric used in the article, nor were any animals involved in the scuffle, to his knowledge (Kindle contended a cat distracted Clift long enough for Kindle to escape).

When asked about the disparities between the police report and his statements to reporters, Kindle admitted he did not entirely remember the events of the attack, but was confident his original account remained accurate.

When asked to comment on the new information this paper had learned, Toledo Mayor Jerry Pratt said he had no comment as his views would later be shared at a workshop of the Toledo City Council the evening of Sept. 16, in which Kindle was expected to account for the attack and his statements.

Town Crier would like to apologize to those who contended we had not been thorough in our research of the attack, as these new details show the extent of our lack of follow-through. We would like to officially retract our original report due to the number of contrary statements now coming out, and expect to follow up by reporting on how officials react during the Workshop.