Bail has been set at $25,000 for a man accused of locking himself in a hotel room in Morton without paying, trying to steal $100 worth of blankets from the hotel and biting an arresting police officer on Monday, Aug. 7.
The man, identified as Jonathan T. Bartoces, 23, of Edmonds, was charged Tuesday, Aug. 8, with one count each of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft and third-degree assault.
Bartoces allegedly entered the hotel room through the window and locked himself in, according to court documents. Morton Police Chief Cole Cournyer reportedly responded and, at the time he arrived, Bartoces was reportedly walking away from the room carrying two bags. Law enforcement later learned the bags contained $100 worth of blankets from the hotel room, according to court documents.
Cournyer reportedly commanded Bartoces to stop and, when he didn’t, Cournyer reportedly grabbed Bartoces by the arm. A struggle ensued, during which Bartoces allegedly bit Cournyer’s arm, according to court documents.
Bartoces was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 12:25 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, and had his preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10.
Bartoces was most recently convicted in July on second-degree burglary and third-degree malicious mischief charges for throwing a rock through the glass door of a convenience store near Randle before breaking into the business and stealing ice cream and gloves from inside. He was sentenced July 24 to 30 days in jail, with credit for 23 days served, according to court documents.
