A man accused of breaking a woman’s finger while trying to steal her cellphone in Pe Ell on Monday is facing felony robbery, assault and theft charges in Lewis County Superior Court.
Brandon S. Salice, 38, of Winlock, had reportedly been staying with the alleged victim for several days prior to the incident. The two reportedly got into an argument before Salice allegedly “came at (the victim),” causing her to fall onto her bed. At that point, Salice allegedly “jumped on (the victim) and grabbed the phone and pulled it out of her hand, causing an injury to her finger,” according to court documents.
Salice then allegedly fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Both the victim and another person at the residence “tried to stop Salice from driving away but were unsuccessful.”
Deputies from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office were sent to the home.
The victim’s pinky finger was later revealed to have been broken. She also suffered a bruise to her chest.
After interviewing the victim, deputies began searching the area for Salice. They reportedly found him quickly, “but he was able to run from deputies” and attempts to “Taze him” were unsuccessful, according to court documents.
The chase reportedly “went on for quite some time and deputies lost sight of Salice,” prompting deputies to bring in a K9. The K9 soon found Salice hiding in a bush, according to court documents.
Salice was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 8:25 p.m. on Sept. 12 and has since been charged with one count each of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and taking a motor vehicle without permission.
The most serious offense, first-degree robbery, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set Salice’s bail at $100,000 on Wednesday.
“That is based on the nature of this offense and the court’s concern for failure to appear,” said Toynbee, citing Salice’s warrant history.
Toynbee added that, given the alleged facts of the case, he found Salice presented “a “danger to the safety of the community and a danger that he may seek to intimidate witnesses or otherwise interfere with the administration of justice.”
Salice’s next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for Sept. 22.
