Thursday, October 1, 2026
A 50-year-old man was taken into custody after the alleged theft of a company vehicle from a business lot in Rochester.
According to a report from Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the suspect, identified as Matthew Chernick, of Centralia, was accused of stealing a 2006 white Ford Ranger pickup truck from a worksite on Loganberry Street SW on Aug. 22.
The truck was equipped with a GPS device, which allowed law enforcement to track its location. Sheriff's office deputies, with the assistance from the Chehalis Tribal Police Department, located the vehicle on Old Highway 99 SW.
Authorities said the suspect attempted to flee on foot when law enforcement personnel approached him. He was captured and arrested, and then taken to Thurston County Corrections Facility.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies reported finding a substance believed to be narcotics.
“Throughout the scope of my search I located a plastic bag of what appeared to be a white crystalline substance consistent with narcotics. I additionally located a small brown pill bottle, which appeared to contain the prescription drug, Oravig,” a responding deputy stated in the report.
Investigators also determined that another truck on the property, a 1991 gray Dodge Ram, had allegedly been broken into by the same suspect.
Chernick faces multiple charges, including theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession or use of a controlled substance, second-degree vehicle prowl, obstructing a law enforcement officer and third-degree driving with license suspended.
He also had an outstanding warrant from Lewis County for third-degree driving with license suspended.
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SecondOtter
You would think that having reached the age of 50, Chernick would have learned to not do crimes. But no.........Thanks, TCSO, for busting this clown. Keep him in jail, please?
Saturday, September 6, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@ SecondOtter, can't keep everyone in jail for a long time, bring back the road gang trash pickups and community cleaners as punishments, 10 hr days.
Saturday, September 6, 2025 Report this
SecondOtter
HOnestly, Boatyarddog, I would like to see the county use chain gangs I saw when stationed in Alabama during the Viet Nam era. A gang of men, chained at the ankles and wearing striped overalls, swinging 'idiot sticks'...hand held weed whackers. They were guarded by men on mule back with shotguns. Granted, this would be fit punishment for the real monsters...child molesters, murderers, etc...but still, seeing them would have possibly been a deterrent for the Chernicks and other dimpshots we see reported here, but...then again, maybe not. Criminals in general are cunning but stupid.
I really, really hate thieves and abusers.
Sunday, September 7, 2025 Report this