Brady Wojtowicz, a 33-year-old man currently residing in Longview, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday, Dec. 4, to face one count of motor vehicle theft — a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office, Wojtowicz borrowed the vehicle from an employer in Lewis County on June 15 so he could drive home. He was supposed to return the blue Saturn Vue the next day, the employer said.
Allegedly, he never returned the SUV at all.
On July 23, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office received notice that Wojtowicz and the vehicle had been located in The Dalles, Oregon. Wojtowicz had been arrested, allegedly for an active warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Oregon, according to the affidavit.
The employer later retrieved the vehicle, but reportedly wanted charges filed.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office filed charging documents on Sept. 3. A summons was issued and reportedly sent to Wojtowicz’s known addresses in Yakima and Longview.
When Wojtowicz failed to appear at his preliminary hearing on Sept. 23, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee issued a bench warrant with a bail of $50,000.
On Dec. 3, Wojtowicz was finally booked into the Lewis County Jail at about 5:38 p.m.
During the preliminary hearing the following day, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello asked that bail remain at $50,000 due to Wojtowicz’s potential to not appear at future hearings.
Masiello added that Wojtowicz had “a lot of ties” to places outside the county’s jurisdiction and had an active warrant out of Cowlitz County.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller requested an unsecured bail, noting the issue was originally a summons matter, and said Wojtowicz’s correct address in Longview had now been provided.
Tiller added that Wojtowicz believed he’d actually been charged twice for the same crime.
Judge Paul Strophy reduced the bail to $5,000 cash or bond, saying he didn’t have concerns for community safety but was concerned Wojtowicz wouldn’t return to court without some bail.
Along with standard conditions of release, Strophy ordered Wojtowicz to clear any warrants out of Cowlitz County — or at least start the process — within 30 days.
Wojtowicz was permitted to travel to Oregon for court hearings.
The judge scheduled an arraignment for Dec. 11. Joseph Paul Enbody was assigned to represent Wojtowicz.
