A Chehalis man faces possible prison time after allegedly stealing an e-bike, portable speaker and phone from a skateboarder at Fuller's Twin City Skate Park on Monday.
Kevan J. Waterman, 49, is charged with one count of second-degree theft, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He also faces one count of possession of a controlled substance, a gross misdemeanor.
Waterman made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Lewis County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer requested a bail of $100,000 cash or bond, saying Waterman has had 16 prior warrants issued for his arrest and dozens of prior convictions, including 15 felony convictions.
Meyer added that Waterman was also associated with a number of aliases, birthdates and social security numbers.
Though the allegation wasn’t a community safety issue, Meyer said, “at the same time it is,” since the theft could cause someone to act out in defense of their property.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Waterman was unable to post bail. She noted that, according to the probable cause affidavit, Waterman appeared to have cooperated with police.
Tiller said Waterman has no active warrants, resides locally, and can and will follow all release conditions.
Judge Paul Strophy set bail at $25,000 cash or bond, based, he said, on Waterman’s warrant history and history of similar conduct, as well as the alleged aliases.
Though he acknowledged the risk that a theft could escalate into a more violent situation, as Meyer posited, Strophy said it wasn’t sufficient to warrant such a high bail for community safety.
Waterman questioned the alleged aliases, saying he’s been here his “entire life.”
He then requested a private phone call with Tiller.
After the call, Tiller said Waterman wanted to “express his great frustration” with the charges and deny any culpability in the matter.
Tiller said that, after reviewing the alleged aliases documented by Meyer, she found that many appeared to be the same name with different spellings “over and over again,” suggesting the aliases could, in fact, be typos.
Tiller said Waterman also wanted to express that he is a drug court graduate and “would never do anything to jeopardize his future.”
She added that, when she was in the hallway, a man had informed her that a bed date was available for Waterman starting Thursday.
Strophy clarified that the issue of Waterman’s alleged aliases was “of a much lesser concern” than his “extensive” warrant and criminal history, and said some bail was required to ensure his return to court.
“I live here,” Waterman said later.
Strophy maintained the $25,000 bail amount.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Centralia police responded to the reported theft at Riverside Park just before midnight on Monday and spoke with the victim.
The victim described the alleged suspect, whom he had met earlier in the day.
While the victim was “using his skateboard” at the skate park, the suspect allegedly took the e-bike and “started pedaling toward Goodwill,” according to the affidavit.
The victim said the bike held a JBL speaker, a set of about 20 keys and a cellphone.
Police reportedly found Waterman, who matched the suspect’s description, a short time later.
According to the affidavit, Waterman admitted to taking the bike and said he’d left it behind the restaurant La Tarasca. Police recovered the stolen items, minus the keys.
Upon his arrest, police searched Waterman and allegedly found a pipe containing suspected methamphetamine.
Waterman is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
