Anthony F. Johnson, left, listens to his public defense attorney Robert Schroeter prior to an initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis. Johnson, as well as, David J. Eslick and Kaylie J. Longmire were charged with burglary and robbery on Wednesday.
David J. Eslick, left, makes his initial appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.
An armed robbery in Centralia has led to the arrest of three people with alleged gang affiliations who police believe are responsible for a series of burglaries and thefts throughout the area.
Police received a 911 call shortly after midnight Tuesday from a woman who said a man had robbed her of her purse and jacket at gunpoint, according to court documents. The woman claimed she was in her car, parked on the 100 block of Harrison Avenue, and was calling her friend for directions.
Authorities later learned the woman had actually driven to Centralia to sell methamphetamine, according to court documents.
Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station helped police develop suspect information for the man accused of the robbery as well as the two people who were in the getaway car, according to court documents.
Police served a search warrant on a residence where two of the suspects were believed to have been living.
Police arrested Anthony F. Johnson, 28, of Morton, and Kaylie J. Longmire, 18, of Centralia, who were both at the house, according to court documents. At the time of his arrest, Johnson allegedly had 9 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, as well as a stolen gun. Johnson, who is a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Johnson is suspected of robbing the woman and Longmire was allegedly driving.
Both Johnson and Longmire are known to local law enforcement for being affiliated with the local gang Tiny Dukes.
Detective Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald said while police were searching the house on Tuesday, they found stolen firearms and other items that police suspect were stolen property from several local thefts and burglaries.
He said police are still investigating these cases, and they may face additional charges.
The third person in the robbery, David J. Eslick, 25, of Centralia, was later contacted by police and arrested.
Both Eslick and Longmire admitted their involvement in the robbery to police, according to court documents. Eslick also told police that after the robbery, they dropped him off at Centralia High School with bolt cutters and told him to burglarize the concession stand.
Eslick allegedly cut the lock off the door with bolt cutters and stole two full, five-gallon gas cans, two cubes of soda and a pair of Carhartt overalls, according to court documents. He then attempted to break into another locked area but was unsuccessful. Eslick then called the other two to come pick him, and the stolen property, up from the school.
During their preliminary court appearance, the three were charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and attempted burglary. Johnson was also charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.
First-degree robbery is a class A felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Bail was set at $75,000 for each of the suspects.
