LEWIS COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
Sentencings
• Benjamin G. Cypher, 48, Morton, was sentenced Feb. 24 to 24 months of community custody and up to six months of inpatient treatment as part of a residential drug offender sentencing alternative (DOSA) after pleading guilty to two counts of residential burglary and single counts of first-degree theft, first-degree trafficking in stolen property and second-degree vehicle prowling. A final count of first-degree attempted theft was dismissed, according to court documents.
• Jaime Garcilazo-Avila, 46, Centralia, had his single count of second-degree assault (domestic violence) dismissed without prejudice on Feb. 25. Garcilazo-Avila was previously accused of punching, pushing and choking a 14-year-old relative in April 2025. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/y9xr8ya7.
• Daniel G. Price, 38, Centralia, was sentenced Feb. 25 to 44 months in prison and 12 months of community custody after pleading guilty to single counts of felony physical control while under the influence and violation of ignition interlock. Additional charges were dismissed, including felony DUI and third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license. Price was previously found passed out in a vehicle along U.S. Highway 12 in the Morton area in December 2025. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/mwkwznkw.
• Dominic A. Rowland, 20, Centralia, was sentenced Feb. 25 to three months in jail and 12 months of community custody after pleading guilty to single counts of third-degree assault — amended from second-degree assault — and second-degree malicious mischief. Rowland was previously accused of ramming his Ford Explorer into his father’s pickup truck on two separate occasions while his father was driving the pickup. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdfdpz6z.
• Caiden O.E. Waid, 24, Pe Ell, was sentenced Feb. 25 to 15 months in prison and 18 months of community custody after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree assault. A second count of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant was dismissed. Waid and two family members were previously accused of beating up a man at a gas station in Pe Ell in December 2025. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s37st23.
• Zane Smith, 33, Centralia, was sentenced March 3 to 30.75 months in prison and 30.75 months of community custody as part of a prison-based drug offender sentencing alternative (DOSA) after pleading guilty to single counts of residential burglary (domestic violence) and second-degree identity theft and two counts of protection order violation (domestic violence). Five additional counts of protection order violation were dismissed. The court entered a 10-year no-contact order on behalf of the victim. Smith was previously accused of violating a domestic violence protection order by unlawfully entering the home of the protected woman. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n8rs2py.
• Jeremy Lynn Waid, 43, Pe Ell, was sentenced March 3 to 12 months and one day in prison and 18 months of community custody after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree assault. Waid and two family members were previously accused of beating up a man at a gas station in Pe Ell in December 2025. For previous Chronicle coverage on the case, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s37st23.
CENTRALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Arrests
• Randy Ruiz, 27, Centralia, was arrested on South Gold Street at about 12:55 a.m. March 14 and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail for DUI, third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license, resisting arrest and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Police reportedly saw Ruiz operating a motor vehicle with expired registration in the 1100 block of South Gold Street. When stopped, Ruiz allegedly exited the vehicle, refused commands and tried fleeing the scene by jumping a fence and going into his residence. Officers apprehended Ruiz after he allegedly attempted to physically resist arrest.
• Don K. Gonzales, 37, Centralia, was arrested and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail after allegedly stealing deli items from a local store in the 500 block of South Tower Avenue at about 5:56 p.m. March 15.
• Ronnie P. Wilson, 18, Centralia, was arrested in the 1200 block of Lum Road at about 6:26 p.m. March 15 and booked into the Chehalis Tribal Jail for fourth-degree assault after allegedly pushing and punching the victim.
Accidents
• A two-vehicle collision with no injuries was reported near the corner of West Main Street and South Ash Street at about 2:56 p.m. March 13.
Assault
• Marcus Fischer, 38, Centralia, received a citation for fourth-degree assault near the corner of South Street and Woodland Avenue at about 8:10 p.m. March 14 after allegedly assaulting a juvenile who was damaging property in the area in front of his home. Christina Lozano, 48, Centralia, was referred to the Centralia Municipal Court for two counts of fourth-degree assault after allegedly spitting on two different people in connection to the previously mentioned assault.
• An employee of a local business was reportedly assaulted in the 700 block of Pioneer Way at about 8:51 p.m. March 14. The case is under investigation.
• Nicholas B. Decker, 37, Centralia, was arrested near the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue at about 2:28 p.m. March 15 after allegedly taking items from a local store without paying for them. Upon contact, Decker allegedly assaulted the loss prevention officer prior to fleeing the scene. Officers located Decker after he allegedly jumped a fence into a nearby neighborhood.
DUI
• Mikayla Lippincott, 35, Pe Ell, was arrested near the corner of South Pearl Street and West Cherry Street at about 3:03 a.m. March 15 and booked into the Lewis County Jail for allegedly driving under the influence with a suspended license.
Malicious mischief
• A citizen reported that their vehicle’s tires were slashed in the 400 block of South Iron Street at about 1:37 p.m. March 13. According to the citizen, the tires had been slashed the night before.
• Two juveniles were referred to the Lewis County Juvenile Court for third-degree malicious mischief after allegedly throwing rocks at — and damaging — multiple vehicles in the 300 block of South Street at about 8:07 p.m. March 14.
Missing person
• Debra Conrad, 71, of Centralia, was reported missing on East Chestnut Street at about 11 p.m. March 13. Conrad was reportedly last seen on March 9. The case is under investigation.
Negligent Driving
• An 86-year-old Centralia man was arrested on Harrison Avenue at about 7:08 p.m. March 13 after operating a motor vehicle negligently and exhibiting what officers believed could be the effects of alcohol. The man was later transported to the hospital after police determined he met the criteria for involuntary medical treatment based on his mental state and behavior.
Reckless driving
• Darvin A. Tomas Lucas, 18, Centralia, was arrested in the 1700 block of Harrison Avenue at about 11:13 a.m. March 14 and issued a criminal citation for alleged reckless driving, along with other traffic infractions.
Scam
• A Facebook scam involving the alleged sale of a vehicle was reported in the 400 block of West Magnolia Street at about 2:25 p.m. March 13. The victim reportedly paid for the vehicle but discovered it was a scam once the seller cut off contact.
Vehicle theft
• A motor vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot of a local business in the 500 block of Harrison Avenue at about 4:14 p.m. March 14. The case is under investigation.
CHEHALIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Chehalis Police Department has not yet released its most recent call reports. Look for updated information in an upcoming edition of The Chronicle and at chronline.com when the reports are made available.
JAIL STATISTICS
• As of March 16, the Lewis County Jail had a total facility population of 165 inmates, including 152 in the general population and 13 in the Work Ethic and Restitution Center (WERC). Of the general population inmates, 131 were reported male and 21 were reported female. Of the WERC inmates, 11 were reported male and two were reported female.
• As of March 16, the Chehalis Tribal Jail had a total jail population of 15 inmates. Of those, nine were from Centralia, one was from Chehalis, one was from Elma and three were from the Department of Corrections. Additionally, there was one from the Suquamish Tribe.
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Sirens are compiled by reporter Jacob Farmer, who can be reached at jfarmer@chronline.com. The Centralia Police Department can be reached at 360-330-7680, the Chehalis Police Department can be reached at 360-748-8605. If you were a victim of physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence or sexual assault, call Hope Alliance at 360-748-6601 or the Youth Advocacy Center of Lewis County at 360-623-1990.
