Centralia Suspect Held on Felony DUI Charge

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A Centralia man is being held on $50,000 bail on charges including felony DUI after officers witnessed him leave a bar, spinning his vehicle’s tires.

Henry Herrera Montealegre, 34, of Centralia, was charged Tuesday with possession of a controlled substance and felony driving under the influence. 

Driving under the influence is typically a gross misdemeanor, but can be charged as a felony if a driver has three or more prior DUI offenses in the past 10 years or if the person has previously been convicted of vehicular homicide or assault.

According to court documents, police responded to a bar on Tower Avenue in Centralia on Monday to investigate a report of a “disorderly, intoxicated male threatening other patrons.”

The officers contacted the man, identified as Herrera Montealegre, and noted he was “difficult to reason with,” according to court documents. 

Herrera Montealegre reportedly left the bar after talking with the officers, who saw him get into his car, spin the tires and drive off. 

Officers followed Herrera Montealegre and pulled over his vehicle in the 1600 block of Windsor Avenue. 

Herrera Montealegre reportedly got out of the car with a screwdriver in his hand and “advanced on the officers, who had to draw their weapons,” according to court documents. Officers talked him into dropping the screwdriver and arrested him. 

Officers reported finding a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the suspect’s pocket during a search. 

Herrera Montealegre has DUI convictions from 2017 and 2018 and a negligent driving conviction from 2010, according to court documents.