Bail has been set at $100,000 for the man accused of robbing the Toledo Timberland Bank on Oct. 15 and then leading police on a high-speed pursuit several days later.
The defendant, David F. Deming, 33, of Winlock, has been charged with one count each of first-degree robbery and third-degree theft related to the bank robbery. Deming allegedly displayed a firearm while giving a note to a bank teller demanding an undisclosed amount of money, according to court documents.
While the Toledo Police said the stolen amount was just over $1,000, he is being charged with third-degree theft, which requires the theft of $750 or less.
Deming has additionally been charged with one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle after he allegedly fled from a Winlock Police Department vehicle attempting to stop him on Oct. 19. He allegedly continued to flee from a Toledo police vehicle and assisting agencies, including the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office and the Napavine Police Department.
Deming’s girlfriend was reportedly in the vehicle during the chase “and was screaming at him the whole time to stop,” according to court documents.
Police stopped Deming near Toledo about 20 minutes into the pursuit and he was taken into custody. He reportedly told police “he knew why he was being contacted but did not want to be interviewed,” according to court documents.
According to court documents, Deming’s father was reportedly in contact with Deming the day after the robbery and encouraged Deming to turn himself in.
Deming did not do so.
“We don’t believe he’s going to voluntarily appear in court and he should have bail set,” said Deputy Prosecutor Scott Jackson at Deming’s preliminary appearance hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Wednesday.
While defense attorney Rachael Tiller requested that Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set Deming’s bail at $50,000 or lower due to Deming’s limited criminal history, Toynbee granted Jackson’s bail request based on the “violent allegations,” the “extreme measures” taken to avoid the police and the alleged involvement of the firearm.
“That puts the public at risk,” Toynbee said.
Police did not find a firearm on Deming when he was arrested. There was also no firearm found inside the vehicle reportedly used in the robbery, which police secured the day of the crime thanks to the help of a civilian who took a picture of the license plate.
It was another citizen who alerted police of Deming’s reappearance at the Winlock address where the vehicle was found.
“If it wasn’t for the citizens in this, we’d still be at square one,” said Toledo Police Sergeant Randy Pennington.
Deming’s next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Oct. 28.
