Two people were charged with felony theft and assault on Friday after they were allegedly involved in a fight in George Washington Park in Centralia on Wednesday.
The two defendants, Adryan M. Loney, 19, of Chehalis, and Catelynn Martin, 18, of Centralia, were arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail on Thursday after they allegedly fled the scene of the incident on Wednesday.
An officer with the Centralia Police Department had responded to George Washington Park just after 7:40 p.m. on Jan. 11 to a report of a physical dispute between five or six subjects, according to call logs and documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court.
The alleged victim told an officer he was sitting on a park bench with several other people when Martin allegedly “walked up to him and pushed him multiple times,” according to court documents. The victim said he was then “jumped” by Loney and a man identified only as “Paul.”
Martin allegedly took the victim’s Samsung phone before she, Loney and “Paul” fled the scene, according to court documents.
A witness at the scene reportedly confirmed the victim’s account of the incident to the officer, who noted the victim “was bleeding from his mouth.”
Another Centralia officer later located and detained Loney in the 1200 block of Alder Street.
When questioned, Loney said “the fight started because (the victim) assaulted a girl so he intervened and threw him to the ground,” according to court documents. Loney said “he didn’t know anything about a cellphone, but then asked if it would make it better if he told (the officer) that Catelynn took the phone,” according to court documents.
“He had no knowledge of a phone being taken and he was acting in defense of another,” defense attorney Rachael Tiller said at Loney's preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday.
An officer located Martin near the library in the 110 block of South Silver Street on Thursday and placed her under arrest.
When questioned, Martin initially stated Loney and “Paul” got into a fight, then amended her statement to say Loney and “Paul” fought the alleged victim. Martin allegedly admitted to taking the victim’s phone but said she “was going to give it back,” then “said she would buy him a new one,” per court documents.
Loney and Martin were each charged with first-degree theft and fourth-degree assault in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday.
Given Loney’s criminal history and unrelated pending court cases, Judge Joely Yeagher set Loney’s bail at $20,000 on Friday.
Asking to address the court, Loney said “I am trying to get my life back on track. I realize I have messed up quite a few times.”
Because Martin had no criminal history and no other pending cases, Yeagher allowed her to be released without bail.
Both Loney and Martin have arraignment hearings scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19.
The subject identified in court documents as “Paul” had not been arrested or charged as of Friday afternoon.
