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Three Pierce County residents were charged Wednesday as co-defendants in connection with the theft of power tools in Chehalis Tuesday.
Investigators say a search of the vehicle they allegedly used in the theft revealed drugs and property stolen on Tuesday, and possible evidence of a robbery.
Samath Laraa Hem, 23, of Tacoma, was charged Wednesday in Lewis County Superior Court with second-degree organized retail theft, and possession of methamphetamine.
Natrone D. Bostwick, 19, of Lakewood, was charged with organized retail theft and possession of a controlled substance.
Alicia Rose Chester, 21, of Tacoma, was charged with organized retail theft.
Hem and Bostick were granted $10,000 bail. Chester was granted $10,000 unsecured bail.
At 3:43 p.m. on Tuesday, police received a report of a theft in progress at Home Depot in the 1700 block of Northwest Louisiana Avenue. A person reported seeing two men run out of the store with arms full of tools, later identified as Milwaukee Drill sets valued at $499 each, and leave in a yellow vehicle. They reportedly fled the area and headed south on Interstate 5, according to the Chehalis Police Department.
The Washington State Patrol apprehended the vehicle at exit 68 of Interstate 5.
The three were initially arrested on suspicion of making a false statement. A search incident to arrest reportedly revealed drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine and heroin, according to court documents.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and reportedly found the two new Milwaukee Combo Drill sets in the trunk, along with firearms, identification cards and account numbers belonging to people other than the three suspects, according to court documents.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Brad Meagher said Wednesday investigators believe some items found in the car could be evidence of involvement in a reported robbery.
