Andrew J. Holmgren makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon in Chehalis.
Andrew J. Holmgren makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon in Chehalis.
A Longview man accused of leading Lewis County deputies on a winding chase Friday that twice crossed the Cowlitz River was charged with seven felonies — including first-degree robbery — and was placed on a $500,000 cash bond Monday.
Andrew Holmgren, 29, was charged Monday with first-degree robbery, second-degree attempted assault, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, two counts of second-degree burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and harming a police or accelerant detection dog or police horse.
Deputies say that on Friday, Holmgren stole a 1993 Plymouth Van from a residence in Ethel, and then led a chase reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour. They also say Holmgren threw a pick axe out the window of the van — which he allegedly stole from a barn.
He took the van down a boat ramp on the Cowlitz while driving about 45 mph, and swam across. At one point he allegedly climbed into a fishing boat, but was pushed out. Deputies caught rides across from fishermen, and a K-9 unit was deployed to track Holmgren down. He allegedly swam the width of the river again to avoid detection.
He also allegedly struck the dog, giving it injuries, before he was taken into custody.
Court documents say Holmgren had allegedly ransacked a camper and a barn prior to the chase.
During a hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon, Senior Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead argued for a $500,000 bond. Holmgren has 10 adult felony convictions, Halstead said, and was just recently released from the Department of Corrections. He had been locked up since 2012 on a number of convictions, including attempting to elude a police officer. During the chase, Holmgren was heard yelling that he wasn’t going back to prison, said Halstead.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked Judge James Lawler for a $250,000 cash bond.
Lawler opted for the harsher option, saying the allegations depict a threat to community safety, and that he considers Holmgren a flight risk.
He has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday.
