CENTRALIA, Washington — It was a busy week for law enforcement in Lewis County. From a drug-sniffing K9 uncovering methamphetamine to a teenager hitting triple-digit speeds on the interstate, Centralia and Chehalis police responded to a wide range of incidents between May 14 and May 18.
Here is a breakdown of what happened.
K9 Hector Finds Dealer-Level Meth During a Traffic Stop
A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled over a vehicle and requested K9 Hector to perform an exterior sniff. The dog immediately alerted to the odor of possible narcotics.
After officers executed a search warrant, they found what police described as dealer amounts of methamphetamine inside the vehicle.
Shantina R. Grace, 41, of Centralia, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged drug possession on the 800 block of Marion Street at around 1:05 p.m. on May 17.
Teen Driver Blows Past Officer at Over 100 mph
In the early hours of May 17, a Centralia police officer watched a car accelerate past him on Interstate 5 near the Exit 82 southbound off-ramp — hitting speeds over 100 mph.
Alejandro Gonzalez, 19, of Chehalis, was issued a criminal citation for reckless driving.
The incident happened at 1:42 a.m., when the roads were largely empty — making the decision to speed past a law enforcement officer even harder to explain.
Man Found Sleeping Drunk in His Car — Then Tried to Start It
Officers responded to the 300 block of Lowe Street just after 1:40 a.m. on May 18 and found Ruben Galvan Venegas, 40, of Centralia, asleep inside a parked vehicle while allegedly intoxicated.
When law enforcement made contact, Venegas reportedly tried to start the car.
He was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
Other Arrests and Incidents This Week
A domestic violence arrest was made on May 17, when Fredy A. Gamez Rodriguez, 28, of Centralia, was booked into the Lewis County Jail for alleged fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, in the 1100 block of Woodland Avenue.
Cameron Whalen, 37, of Centralia, was arrested on May 15 for an outstanding warrant along with alleged possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail.
Two criminal trespass incidents near the 1000 block of Seminary Hill Road on the evening of May 16 resulted in one juvenile referral to Lewis County Juvenile Court and a criminal citation for James Driscoll, 18, of Centralia — both for allegedly entering secured city infrastructure and fleeing from officers on foot.
Thefts, Forgery, and Property Damage
Two bicycles were reported stolen on consecutive nights — one in the 200 block of South Pearl Street on May 15, and another, along with a bike trailer, in the 200 block of East Chestnut Street early May 16.
Theft of over $1,000 in merchandise was reported from a business in the 100 block of West High Street on May 17. That case remains under active investigation.
A forgery report was filed in the 1400 block of Logan Street on May 16 and is also under active investigation.
Vehicles were reported doing donuts on a grassy area at a business in the 2300 block of North Pearl Street, causing property damage. Officers believe it happened within the 48 hours before the May 17 report.
Jail Population as of May 18
The Lewis County Jail held 140 inmates total — 126 in the general population and 14 in the Work Ethic and Restitution Center. The Chehalis Tribal Jail reported 21 inmates, including nine from Centralia and ten from the Department of Corrections.
Did any of these incidents happen near your neighborhood? Share what you know or what you’ve seen in the comments below — local eyes matter.
