Routine patrol of an area known for illegal activity leads to multiple arrests 

A routine patrol of an area known for illegal activity resulted in multiple arrests, including a 50-year-old man  for alleged possession of a stolen vehicle, the Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) said in a report.

On May 31, a deputy was patrolling an area near a residence in the 1300 block of Stillwell Street NE when the deputy spotted several individuals outside the home.

“This residence is a public health hazard and has dozens and dozens of law enforcement responses for incidents ranging from drug transactions, domestic violence, stolen cars, and wanted persons running on foot," a TCSO deputy said in the report.

"This property is referred to as a drug house by law enforcement and neighbors."

As the patrol vehicle approached, some people went into the house. 

One man, who briefly spoke with the deputy before entering the residence, claimed ownership of a gray Ram 1500 pickup truck parked at the scene.

The truck’s license plate appeared to be fake, and further investigation revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Seattle. Authorities confirmed the vehicle’s status using its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 

Additional deputies responded to the scene, securing the area and ordering the occupants to exit the residence. More than a dozen individuals eventually came out. 

Some deputies secured adjacent residences to detain people who attempted to escape through backyards of neighbors.

 “I could hear movement in the backyard, which point I looked through a crack in the fence and saw a white female open the back slider door and whisper ‘Run guys, they’re here!’ I then heard footsteps and branches cracking in the south end of the property line,” stated a TCSO deputy. 

Deputies later detained two men after trying to escape through an adjacent backyard. One of them, identified in the report as Jamal R. Payton, 50, matched the description of the person who originally claimed the truck.

A Ram key fob was found in his possession and confirmed to belong to the stolen vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and first-degree criminal trespass. 

Another man, identified as Austin Cornwell, was also arrested for first-degree criminal trespass. Records show Cornwell used a different name, Austin Gregson, during the arrest to avoid being recognized for his active warrants.

Cornwell, who was released the next day, is now wanted for multiple active warrants, as well as an additional charge of second-degree identity theft for using a false name during his latest arrest. 

Two other individuals at the residence — James A. Pursley and Terra A. Fuller — were also arrested on unrelated warrants. A woman identified as Cassandra Ratzel was also arrested in connection with a separate second-degree burglary case from Lacey Police Department. 

The vehicle has since been recovered and returned to its rightful owner, a holdings company.