Cowlitz County Police Blotter 1/2/2026 – 1/8/2026

The crooks are starting this year off with a bang, with 49 arrests ranging from forgery and money laundering to organized retail theft, driving under the influence, and eluding arrest. Our law enforcement officers are busy, and we’re thankful they’re there.

This week’s dumbest criminal award goes to Scott James Cartier, charged with ATTEMPT TO ELUDE, ILLEGAL VIO-IGNITION, INTERLK DRIVER LIC, DWLS 3RD, FUGITIVE FRM JUSTICE. His Mama must not have told him that if you’re going to be a fugitive, don’t do something stupid like drink and drive, then run from the cops once you’re caught. Sheesh

This week’s worst criminal award goes to Crysania Elizabeth Maureen Spoto for ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT > $1500, THEFT 2nd DEGREE > $750. These organized theft rings are becoming more and more sophisticated, and now that they’ve destroyed the businesses in their last community, they’re looking for an easy mark. Glad to know our officers aren’t playing games and they’re going straight to jail.

This week’s highest bail award goes to David Edward Wolfe for CONTEMPT OF COURT. Mr. Wolfe’s bail is set at $40,000; we can only assume he did something really stupid to make the judge angry enough to set his bail that high.

Castle Rock – Vehicle stuck on railroad tracks near Barnes Dr. A vehicle reportedly became stuck on railroad tracks near Barnes Dr. (Name withheld) drove down the tracks for about 500 yards from near Barnes Dr. Crews were unable to reach it with a tow truck. BNSF Railway was requested to assist with removal. 1/10/2026 12:25 PM

Castle Rock – Unconscious person found near Tower Rd. Emergency units responded to a possible medical incident involving an unconscious person near Tower Road in Castle Rock. Medics and patrol units were dispatched to provide assistance. 1/11/2026 04:51 PM

Castle Rock – Deputies handle disturbance near 1st Ave SW sanctuary. Deputies in Castle Rock responded to a possible disturbance and welfare check near a sanctuary on First Avenue Southwest. A woman was reportedly yelling and throwing objects before moving outside. Officers were requested to check on her condition.

Kalama – Student experiences allergic reaction at Kalama Middle School. Emergency crews responded to a possible allergic reaction involving a student in the health room at Kalama Middle School near China Garden Road. The student was reported to be in the nurse’s station when medical personnel arrived. 1/5/2026 02:49 PM

Kalama – Runaway Juveniles Reported from Cloverdale Area. Law enforcement responded to a report of runaway juveniles from the Cloverdale area. The reporting party (RP) initially stated that the juveniles left the house on foot. They were last seen near Old Pack Square and Vincent, possibly heading toward Vancouver. The RP later lost sight of them. Officers coordinated to reopen the runaway case and arrange for one juvenile to be returned home. No new crimes reported during the incident. 1/10/2026 09:53 AM

Kalama – Large bonfire reported near residence in Kalama. Emergency units responded to a report of a large bonfire near a residence on Nectarine Drive in Kalama. Crews investigated the source of the fire and coordinated response with utility teams. 12/31/2025 09:15 PM

Kalama – Deputies check on suspicious person near Waters Watch Rd. Deputies investigated a report of a suspicious man lingering near Waters Watch Road in Kalama. The individual was seen walking toward Horizon Drive and described as wearing a black sweatshirt, brown shorts, and carrying a blue backpack. 1/5/2026 03:58 PM

Kalama – Fire and assault reported near North 1st Street. Emergency units responded to a possible assault and fire incident near North 1st Street in Kalama. The dispatch mentioned a theater fire, and Ladder 29, Chief 21, and Engine 21 were called to the scene. The situation appears to have been brought under control. 1/8/2026 08:41 AM

Kelso – Large culvert collapse causes road hazard. Authorities reported a large culvert collapse near Rose Valley Road in Kelso, Washington, resulting in a sinkhole approximately eight feet deep. The area may present a road hazard and require attention from county personnel. 1/4/2026 01:51 PM

Kelso – Overdose treated on Allen Street. Emergency crews responded to an overdose near Allen Street in Kelso, Washington. Multiple doses of Narcan were administered to the patient, who was initially unresponsive but later began breathing and showed signs of recovery. 1/1/2026 08:13 PM

Longview – Suspicious Person and Possible Break-In at Cowlitz County Fairgrounds. Law enforcement units responded to a report of a possible break-in at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds. The reporting party observed a male subject, approximately six feet tall and wearing blue clothing, possibly jeans and a hoodie, forcing entry into barn number 14. The suspect was later seen driving a four-wheeler near the fairgrounds and heading toward the indoor arena. Multiple officers entered through different gates on Washington Street and Seventh Avenue. Upon arrival and further investigation, it was revealed that individuals were riding horses in the arena, and it was likely a misunderstanding. The incident was ultimately reclassified as a suspicious circumstance, and all units cleared the scene. 1/6/2026 08:54 AM

Longview – Suspicious Male with Pipe and Backpack Near Goodwill Detained on Warrant. Officers responded to reports of a male subject wearing green clothing and carrying a backpack near the Goodwill store in Longview. The reporting party stated the man appeared to have a pipe or similar object sticking out of his backpack and had been trying doors and looking into windows. The subject was later located walking northbound near Fifteenth Street and an alley around 1450. Officers made contact with the individual in front of Goodwill, identified him as Nikolai Nathaniel Warnick, and confirmed he had an outstanding warrant for assault in the third degree. The jail accepted him pending medical clearance and records confirmation. 1/5/2026 12:52 AM

Longview – Theft of Beverages Leads to Arrest in Longview Parking Lot. Officers responded to a report of a male suspect who stole three vitamin waters from a store entrance in Longview, Washington. The suspect was described as a Black male in his twenties, of medium build, wearing a black beanie, a white hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes. Officers searched the area near the LCC parking lot, which was under construction, and located items possibly associated with the suspect, including keys, a cardboard box, and a sleeping bag. After a brief search and communication challenges due to a language barrier, the suspect identified himself as Francisco Nieves, born in 1995. Officers discovered that he had an immigration violation warrant and taken into custody. 1/9/2026 10:03 PM

Longview – Missing child found at Longview store. Police responded to a report of a missing child at the Dollar Tree near Ocean Beach Highway in Longview. The nine-year-old was located soon after but was uncooperative, and the incident was reclassified as a juvenile problem. 1/2/2026 08:10 PM

Longview – Female Suspect Throwing Rocks and Damaging Property in Longview. Female suspect throwing rocks at a residence window in Longview, Washington. The reporting party (RP) confronted the suspect, who fled through a nearby alley toward 32nd Street. Officers described the suspect as a white female in her twenties, dressed in all black. Multiple windows were reported broken. A second female was seen wearing a fluffy hoodie and a white shirt, but was not involved in the vandalism. The suspect was last seen heading eastbound through the alley toward 30th Street. Responding units later reported being in the 3000 block of Delaware. RP is confronting her now, following her around, female running in the alley towards 32nd1/11/2026 03:06 AM

Longview – Disturbance near Oregon Way involving yelling individual. Officers were notified of a possible disorderly conduct situation near Oregon Way in Longview. A person was reportedly sitting on a shower chair and yelling at pedestrians. The subject appears to be someone previously contacted by authorities. 1/10/2026 09:10 PM

Longview – Burglary reported near Crown Point Road. Deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress near Crown Point Road in Longview. The reporting party, watching through a doorbell camera, saw an unknown person enter through an unlocked front door and believed the person might still be inside. 1/3/2026 05:52 PM

Woodland – Possible overdose at Woodland Taco Bell. Emergency units responded to a possible overdose reported at the Taco Bell in Woodland. The patient later became conscious, was breathing, and sat up. The patient was uncooperative with law enforcement before leaving the scene. 12/30/2025 07:40 PM

Woodland – Suspicious subjects seen digging through trash on Park St. Deputies responded to reports of individuals digging through trash and walking in driveways near Park Street in Woodland. They appeared connected with a white Ford F-350 pickup linked to previous similar contacts. The situation involved potential suspicious activity, but no immediate threat or violence was indicated. 1/6/2026 01:18 PM

Woodland – Rider injured at motocross track near Lewis River Rd. Emergency units responded to a possible traumatic injury at a motocross track near Lewis River Road in Woodland, Washington. The incident appears to have involved a rider who was injured during the activity. 1/11/2026 08:58 AM

Woodland – Man refuses to leave storage facility near Lewis River Rd. Deputies responded to a possible disturbance at a storage facility near Lewis River Road. A man reportedly connected to one of the storage renters was refusing to leave the property. He may have been staying in a storage unit and mentioned having a broken-down vehicle. The subject was known to law enforcement from prior minor incidents. 12/31/2025 01:19 PM

All alleged criminals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law