Two subjects were arrested Sunday for allegedly breaking into a dead woman’s home in Lewis County and stealing her mail and quarter collection.
Joseph Aaron Groshong, 45, of Buckley, and Courtney Noel Walker, 36, of Graham, are accused of breaking into an unoccupied home in the 100 block of Calvin Road in Cinebar on Sunday, Dec. 28.
The homeowner’s son reported the burglary to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office from Florida, saying the home’s security cameras caught footage of a man wearing a ski mask making “loud banging noises,” according to court documents.
The son provided screenshots from the security cameras, showing the male suspect and his yellow pickup, to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
A deputy arrived at the residence and found the doors to both the main house and a detached shop had been kicked in, according to court documents.
The phone line to the property had been cut and a power box was ripped out of the wall. A Ring doorbell camera cover had also reportedly been ripped out, and the battery was missing.
Not long after the burglary was reported, a deputy located a yellow pickup truck on state Route 508 and initiated a traffic stop.
The truck and the driver, identified as Groshong, both allegedly matched the security footage, according to court documents.
Walker was reportedly in the passenger seat of the pickup during the traffic stop.
The deputy reportedly found lockpicking tools on Walker’s person during her arrest, according to court documents.
Inside the vehicle, a deputy found wrenches and screwdrivers likely used to commit the burglary. He also found property belonging to the homeowner — including a laundry basket, mail and her quarter collection.
The mail was addressed to the homeowner, and the homeowner’s son reportedly confirmed that the laundry basket and quarter collection both belonged to his mother.
A deputy also reportedly found large amounts of cash, drugs and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Groshong and Walker both face one count each of residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver, third-degree malicious mischief, third-degree theft and possession of burglary tools.
Walker’s bail was set at $15,000, while Groshong’s was set at $50,000 due to his more-extensive criminal history.
Arraignment hearings are scheduled for Jan. 8.
