Joseph K. Hansen makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon in Chehalis.
A Cinebar man was arrested after allegedly leading the Centralia Police Department chief on a high-speed chase that started near the Grocery Outlet in Chehalis and went onto Interstate 5.
Joseph K. Hansen, 25, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of heroin with intent to deliver and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. He’s being held on $25,000 bail.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Monday, Centralia Police Chief Carl Nielsen attempted a traffic stop on a 2003 Acura RSX in Chehalis. However, the vehicle failed to stop and went onto I-5, reaching speeds of around 80 miles per hour. Nielsen lost sight of the vehicle somewhere near exit 72, documents read. However, a 911 caller reporting an erratically moving vehicle with the same description, and provided the vehicle’s license plate number.
A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office detective and deputy went to the address linked with the license plate number, where they found Hansen and took him into custody. During a search of the vehicle, detectives reported finding a handgun. They also reported finding meth and heroin inside a backpack Hansen was allegedly carrying. The drugs were accompanied with items often associated with drug dealing, like scales and plastic bags.
During a hearing in Lewis County Superior Court, Judge Andrew Toynbee, who indicated he was familiar with Hansen, who is a recent drug court graduate.
“I’m well familiar with Mr. Hansen,” said Toynbee, who opted to hold him on $25,000 bail, in line with a request from defense attorney Rachael Tiller, rather than the $100,000 requested by Deputy Prosecutor Silvia Irimescu.
Toynbee said he knows enough about Hansen’s life to believe he’s not likely to fail to appear to future hearings if he were to post bail. During Tuesday’s proceedings, he made Hansen say out loud that he will be in court for all future hearings.
“I just want to look you in the eye and know that we understand each other,” said Toynbee.
Hansen has a hearing on June 27.
