Local warrant sweep nabs 10 across county

Law Enforcement Officers throughout Lewis County attempted 199 warrants Oct. 30 as part of Operation DV Roundup. The special warrant sweep was coordinated to locate subjects who have outstanding warrants for domestic violence related crimes as October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

"We are sending a strong message that domestic violence has no place in our community," said Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer, stating one in four women age victims of domestic violence during their lifetime. "This warrant roundup is an important reminder to those who choose to commit these acts, that the victims, the police, and this office will not simply turn a blind eye to their violence."

Starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at midnight, officers from police departments in Chehalis, Centralia, Morton, Toledo, Winlock and Napavine, as well as the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Corrections, contributed a total of 32 officers for the sweep, and 10 suspects were located and arrested.

Among the suspects officers were unable to contact, it was learned many had moved out of the Lewis County area, and local law enforcement are expected to coordinate with outside agencies to locate them using now-updated address information.

"Our efforts in this warrant sweep was to hold offenders accountable for their actions," Lewis County Sheriff's Office Undersheriff Rob Snaza. "I am proud of the fact that law enforcement, the Prosecutor's Office, and court system took a united stance today to ensure offenders know we will not tolerate domestic violence in Lewis County. No one deserves to be assaulted, threatened, injured, or in fear of another person. If you know someone who is being abused, please speak up."