Bail has been set at $10,000 for a Centralia woman accused of breaking into an occupied residence in Winlock on Friday and stealing items from a truck on the property.
The resident told law enforcement that she “was sitting in her living room when she heard someone in her house” and thought it was “a friend who occasionally stops by,” according to court documents. When she went to investigate, however, she found the person in her home was a stranger, later identified as Amey F. Markel, 48.
The resident reportedly yelled at Markel to leave, but Markel allegedly refused, according to court documents. During the confrontation, the resident reportedly saw Markel “had items in her purse to include a stuffed animal that was previously in her husband’s truck.” When the resident tried to take the stuffed animal back, Markel allegedly “said it was hers and grabbed it back from (the resident's) hand,” putting it back into her purse. The resident reportedly “kept telling (Markel) to leave and threatened to call the police, but Markel allegedly refused to leave and was allegedly “eyeballing” the resident’s purse and other items in the residence.
Markel allegedly stepped out onto the residence’s deck after the resident called the police. While on the deck, Markel allegedly “took items from around the fire pit area and was told to put them down” and “picked up a garden rake and held it up in a manner causing (the resident) concern,” according to court documents.
Markel reportedly left the residence before law enforcement arrived, allegedly taking with her the stolen stuffed animal, a watch and a clock.
A deputy with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office reportedly matched the resident’s description of the subject with Markel and made contact with her later that day, according to court documents.
Markel was reportedly holding a bag “in which the deputy could see the stuffed animal” from the residence. When asked about it, Markel allegedly said “she had grabbed the stuffed animal out of someone’s truck,” according to court documents.
Officers arrested Markel and located the stolen items on her person. She was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 4:55 p.m. on July 29 and has since been charged with one count each of residential burglary, second-degree vehicle prowling and third-degree theft and.
“Ms. Markel is absolutely in disagreement with the information here,” said defense attorney Rachael Tiller during Markel’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
Tiller expressed concerns about Markel’s mental state and requested a competency evaluation. A pro tem commissioner at Lewis County Superior Court placed a hold on the order for further review.
Markel has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4.
