A Tacoma man was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor after he was allegedly found driving a stolen U-Haul van while in possession of a pistol in Centralia on Oct. 15.
Elton Hoard, 48, made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court the following day.
Hoard was pulled over by Centralia police after officers received a Flock Safety camera notification that a stolen U-Haul from Seattle was located in town.
While speaking with police, Hoard allegedly consented to officers searching his backpack for the necessary rental paperwork, according to court documents.
Officers reportedly confirmed from the paperwork that the van had been rented by another person and was supposed to have been returned on Oct. 6.
Hoard then said “he had a friend rent the van for him and said he had been speaking with U-Haul to keep the van for a longer period of time,” but did not provide any proof of such communication with U-Haul or the friend who had rented the van, according to court documents.
Court documents further stated that a Centralia officer continued to look through the backpack, finding “the lower receiver to a small-caliber pistol and ammunition. The upper receiver and spring to the firearm were located on the dash inside the vehicle.”
The officer also reportedly found “a small amount of marijuana and suspected methamphetamine,” along with a container that may have contained cocaine.
During the preliminary hearing, Deputy Prosecutor Brandi Archer asked for bail in the amount of $30,000, noting 35 prior warrants as well as other criminal convictions involving firearms.
According to court documents, Hoard’s last felony conviction was in 2017 for criminal mischief with a deadly weapon.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller mentioned that gap in criminal history as part of her request for bail of no more than $10,000.
Judge Paul Strophy indicated that Hoard’s recent stability with his physical address mitigated some concern about Hoard’s failing to appear at future court dates and noted that Hoard was not alleged to have committed any acts with the firearm in this case.
The judge set bail at $10,000 cash or bond, along with an arraignment scheduled for Oct. 23.
Jacob Clark was assigned to represent Hoard.
