A 22-year-old Centralia man faces felony charges after he was accused of doing a “burnout” in the Fort Borst Park area, driving at high speeds on Harrison Avenue without headlights on, running a red light and evading police before he was eventually arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail around 4:49 a.m. Nov. 16.
Dabe Alfredo Alvarez-Price was charged with one count of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He faces an additional misdemeanor for third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license.
During Alvarez-Price’s preliminary hearing on Nov. 17, Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer indicated the third-degree misdemeanor will be amended to a second-degree gross misdemeanor charge.
According to the probable cause affidavit, police attempted to stop the defendant’s vehicle around 2:51 a.m. Nov. 16 but ended the pursuit “because of the danger involved.”
Officers continued to search the area, and allegedly found the vehicle and a male suspect “frantically attempting to enter a residence,” according to the affidavit.
Police later obtained a warrant and entered the home.
According to the affidavit, Alvarez-Price allegedly denied driving the vehicle, but “referred to the officer's lights used during the pursuit.”
The defendant has had six prior warrants issued and was convicted of a hit-and-run resulting in injury, DUI, reckless driving and reckless endangerment in June, according to the affidavit.
Alvarez-Price was also convicted of three counts of fourth-degree assault, domestic violence, in May, and has been convicted of other driving-related offenses, according to the affidavit.
Judge Paul Strophy noted the alleged conduct was similar to the defendant’s previous cases and set bail at $250,000 cash or surety, in agreement with the state’s recommendation.
An arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 20. Joshua House is assigned to represent Alvarez-Price.
