Centralia police arrested a juvenile who has been accused of both robbery and attempted kidnapping on Monday.
According to the Centralia Police Department, around 9 a.m., a juvenile boy approached a woman who was sitting on the ground at a bus stop in the 2400 block of Borst Avenue. He engaged in conversation with her before leaving. However, he returned and brandished a knife, demanding that the woman accompany him.
After he forced the woman to walk half a block, she pleaded with him to let her return to her original spot in order to catch her bus. The boy agreed, and the woman immediately fled on foot.
Approximately an hour later, the same boy targeted another individual in a parking lot located in the 1100 block of Harrison Avenue. He threatened this person with a knife and demanded their valuable possessions. Once the victim handed over their belongings, the boy escaped on foot.
Shortly after the robbery, the victim’s personal information was used to make online purchases. Additionally, individuals listed as contacts in the victim’s phone received threatening email messages from the suspect. The boy threatened to harm the victim unless the contacts provided him with their credit and debit card information.
Based on information gathered, Centralia officers deduced that the suspect resided in the 2700 block of Mount Vista Road in Centralia. With the assistance of detectives from the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team and the CPD, the boy was apprehended at his residence.
The boy, who is from Centralia, was arrested on charges of kidnapping and robbery.
Furthermore, additional charges are being pursued due to the threatening emails sent by the suspect.
The CPD has chosen not to disclose any further details at this time. If you have any information related to this case, please contact the Centralia Police Department at (360) 330-7680 or Lewis County Communications at (360) 740-1105.
