A Centralia man awaits arraignment on a felony burglary charge after he allegedly swung a golf club at a bartender at The Hub in June.
Andrew J. Filer, 37, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 27. A judge maintained the $50,000 bail amount set in Filer’s arrest warrant. Filer posted bond the next day.
Filer is charged with one count each of first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault. He faces a maximum of life in prison for the burglary charge.
During the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Filer was “adamant” he was not the person who had committed the crime.
“I do believe there’s a lot of issues here, including whether or not the correct person has actually been arrested,” Tiller said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Centralia police took a statement from a bartender at The Hub on June 6. The bartender reportedly said he was “wrapping up his shift” at about 1:30 a.m. and had “cut Andrew Filer off.”
The bartender said he told Filer to pay his tab. Filer allegedly became upset about being cut off, but paid and left.
According to the bartender, Filer allegedly returned “moments later” with a golf club and walked behind the bar. He then allegedly began swinging the club at the bartender.
The bartender said he threw a glass at Filer, hopped over the bar and left the building.
According to the affidavit, Filer allegedly followed the bartender outside. The bartender grabbed a firearm from his vehicle and pointed it at Filer.
Filer stopped and then left the area, the bartender reported.
Filer is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday.
