Zim Hall makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon in Chehalis.
A Centralia man tried to steal money and merchandise from two Chehalis stores Saturday afternoon, and at one point wielded a thermometer in a threatening manner against a store clerk, authorities say.
Chehalis police officers say they had to deploy a Taser to take Zim I. Hall, 35, into custody after he refused to comply with officers’ demands.
Hall, according to a probable cause affidavit, went into Smoke Depot in Chehalis and started trying to take cash from a tip jar at the counter. The clerk told him to leave, but instead Hall allegedly started hitting buttons on the cash register, trying to get it open.
The clerk “slapped his hand away and told him to leave.” Hall left, but allegedly returned shortly wielding a thermometer — which the clerk mistook for a pen — and held it in a way that the clerk felt Hall would try to stab her. She called 911, and Hall left.
Less than an hour later, officers were dispatched to Airport Depot in Chehalis, after they were told about an unruly man in the store.
They allegedly found Hall in a back room that wasn’t open to the public, pulling items off the wall. Hall refused to get on the ground, officers say, and so they deployed a Taser.
Hall initially told officers his name was “American Nation,” according to court documents, and said he was at the store to “check the till and do the taxes.”
The store clerk said Hall claimed to be with the police, and walked behind the counter.
He was charged Monday with second-degree burglary and second-degree attempted robbery.
During a hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon, defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Hall is employed at Airport Depot and didn’t mean any harm. She asked for unsecured bail.
Deputy Prosecutor Karin Phomma argued for $50,000 bail, saying the allegations against Hall represented a threat to community safety.
Judge James Lawler imposed $20,000 bail. Hall has an arraignment hearing on Thursday.
