An Onalaska man was charged with three felonies Tuesday after he allegedly stole a generator from the victims’ property and used a car jack to damage two of their vehicles.
Alex M. Bodin, 27, faces one count each of second-degree burglary, second-degree robbery, second-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft. The burglary and robbery charges are both punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The malicious mischief charge is punishable by up to five years in prison. Third-degree theft is considered a gross misdemeanor.
Bodin made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Meyer requested a bail amount of $50,000 cash or bond, citing concerns for community safety, as well as Bodin’s warrant and criminal history. Meyer said Bodin has committed “multiple protection order violations.”
“That tells the state that he is likely to not follow conditions of release or follow court orders,” Meyer said.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for $10,000 in bail, saying Bodin "absolutely understands” and can abide by standard release conditions, including no contact with witnesses.
Tiller said she saw no felony history or similar conduct when reviewing Bodin’s record.
Judge Paul Strophy said Bodin’s warrant history gave the court some concern he would fail to return without bail.
“Also, given the nature of the allegations here, the court does have some concerns for community safety, primarily the alleged victims here,” Strophy said.
The judge set bail at $20,000 cash or bond and scheduled an arraignment for Thursday.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Chehalis police responded to a reported vehicle prowl on Aug. 14. One of the alleged victims had accused Bodin of stealing a generator from her property and breaking multiple car windows.
The officer arrived and spoke to the victims. The male victim said he’d gone outside to confront Bodin, whom he knew. Bodin was allegedly walking through their enclosed yard.
When the man yelled at Bodin to drop his car jack, Bodin allegedly turned “as if to hurl it” at him, according to the affidavit. The man said he covered his face and fell into some trash bins.
According to the affidavit, Bodin allegedly brought the jack to the front of the home and threw it “through the back window” of the victims’ Nissan Altima.
Bodin wasn’t done with the jack. He then allegedly threw it at the windshield of the victims’ Toyota FJ Cruiser and left the scene.
According to the affidavit, the male victim told police he’d “sold his lawnmower to Bodin and part of the payment was the generator.” The man described Bodin as having “manic episodes due to drugs and alcohol.”
According to the affidavit, the damage to the two vehicles was estimated at $1,000. The stolen generator was reportedly worth $200. Bodin also allegedly stole a shop vacuum worth $75.
After his arrest, the investigating officer spoke with Bodin at the Lewis County Jail. According to the affidavit, Bodin allegedly said the male victim had “attacked him with a weed whacker.”
Bodin did not report this alleged attack to law enforcement, according to the affidavit.
