Centralia man arrested for allegedly stealing truck he wanted to buy

Justin D. Bussart, 38, of Centralia, was charged Wednesday with one count of motor vehicle theft and another for third-degree malicious mischief.

The motor vehicle theft charge carries the greatest potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Bussart is accused of stealing a truck he had allegedly expressed interest in buying from the owner a day prior. According to court documents, the stolen vehicle was later found parked on the side of the road. The rear driver’s side window was reportedly broken. Glass was on the driver’s seat. The front tires were flat.

While investigating, the sheriff’s deputy “observed a truck approach the stolen vehicle with tires in the back but then pull away when they observed him,” according to court documents. 

The suspect was identified as Bussart, who allegedly claimed he purchased the vehicle and denied breaking the window. According to court documents, Bussart later complained “about cuts to his hand, saying there was glass in his cuts — indicating he had broken the window to the truck.”

Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured during a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Sept. 3. Judge J. Andrew Toynbee indicated he was taking a “bit of a gamble” on Bussart because of Bussart’s lack of recent criminal history.

An arraignment was scheduled for Sept. 4, with Don Blair assigned to represent Bussart.