Bail has been set at $75,000 for a Napavine man who is accused of breaking into a Chehalis business Monday and then assaulting the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy and sergeant who arrested him.
Early Monday morning, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the business owner reporting that an employee had seen Chance J. Smith, who had been trespassed from the business in 2017, inside the building when they arrived to open, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
A responding deputy and sergeant reportedly arrived to find Smith in an office within the business with the door closed. Smith allegedly refused officers’ orders to come out, and when officers opened the door, “Smith was observed behind a bunch of stacked items, carrying a large stick,'' according to the affidavit.
When the door opened, Smith allegedly “threw a sickle towards law enforcement” then complied with officers’ orders to exit the office. When officers moved to arrest him, Smith allegedly “grabbed onto a large door and refused to let go,” at which point the deputy used his Taser “to get him to let go of the door, which had the desired effect,” according to the affidavit.
Once Smith let go, he allegedly “started swinging and flailing his arms around,” striking both officers in the face and clawing at the sergeant. According to the affidavit, “Smith was able to be placed under arrest after all deputies present assisted.”
Smith was booked into the Lewis County Jail just after 6:35 a.m. on April 5. He faces one count each of first-degree burglary and second-degree assault, along with two counts of third-degree assault. The most serious charge, first-degree burglary, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and up to $50,000 in fines.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Paul Masiello requested that Judge James W. Lawler set Smith’s bail at $100,000 restricted, citing public safety concerns due to “the violent nature of the offense.” His defense attorney, Rachael Tiller, offered no counter-request because Smith had reportedly refused to speak with her prior to his preliminary hearing.
Lawler decided to set bail slightly below Masiello’s request at $75,000 restricted, meaning that Smith must pay the full amount in cash or via a bail bond in order to be released. Smith’s next court appearance is an arraignment hearing scheduled for April 8.
