Ronald Camp was sitting on his couch in Chehalis Friday night when he heard several loud noises coming from somewhere nearby. He got up to investigate.
What he found was a man swinging an axe at the door to his garage. The axe belonged to Camp. Camp banged on the glass to get the man’s attention. But the man kept swinging.
The suspect, Jaime M. Granados, 32, was later arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree malicious mischief and possession of a controlled substance — in this case methamphetamine. Of the three, the burglary charge comes with the greatest maximum punishment: up to 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Lewis County prosecutors, Camp told officers that he did not see Granados enter his garage, but did notice that it appeared to have been rummaged through. Camp indicated that he believed Granados had kicked in the door to his garage before entering to obtain the axe. Granados then proceeded to inflict further damage to Camp’s property.
During a search of Granados, one of the officers dispatched to the scene found what appeared to be methamphetamine in the suspect’s hoodie.
At a preliminary hearing on Monday, Aug. 11, Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead emphasized Granados’s recent criminal history, which includes multiple Washington felony convictions for theft — including theft of a motor vehicle — and attempted burglary, all from 2024. Granados also has Virginia felony convictions for robbery and attempted robbery from 2015.
“He’s had a recent burglary and was literally released from jail eight days prior to this incident here,” Halstead said, adding that the matter is “a community safety issue.”
Defense Attorney Rachael Tiller, meanwhile, asked the court to consider an unsecured bail, arguing that Granados possessed no means to post.
Before making his determination, Judge Paul Strophy noted the court’s “significant concerns” about community safety, Granados’s criminal history and his rapid recidivism. Strophy also acknowledged the “escalating use of violence in order to gain entry into the building or to destroy property.”
The judge set bail at $100,000 cash or bond, which includes standard conditions and no contact with the alleged victim or his residence.
An arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14. Donald Blair has been appointed to represent Granados.
