A 58-year-old Centralia man has been charged in Marion County Court on Monday with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding as well as felony retail theft following a high speed police chase on Sunday night that started north of Mt. Vernon and ended in Salem. Earl Morlan of West Warmoth Street did not have bond set on Monday because he was reportedly causing a disturbance in the jail. Morlan is accused of stealing a pickup he had taken for a test drive in rural Kinmundy and reportedly left another stolen car behind. Salem Police were able to flatten one of the tires when the chase entered Salem on Route 37 South. Morlan eventually stopped on Mills Cart Road and was prevented from running by police who had drawn their guns.
32-year-old Michael Cummins of Bicknell Street in Centralia was charged with aggravated battery to a child under 13 after reportedly striking the juvenile in the face causing his nose to bleed. He also faces a domestic battery charge forallegedly pushing a family member. Bond was set at $7,500 and Cummins ordered to have no contact with the victims or their residence.
Bond was set at $18,000 for 36-year-old Travis Finley of Ferrydale Road in Odin after he was charged with felony criminal damage to property and cruel treatment of an animal. Finley is accused of damaging multiple items in his parent’s home while reportedly armed with an ax. He’s also charged with kicking their dog in the chest. Finley was ordered to have no contact with the victims or their home.
Two others were charged with unlawful possession of less than five grams of methamphetamine. Bond was set at $6,000 for 32-year-old Travis Juds of North Scott in Odin. 45-year-old Ernest Speagel of Gompers Street in Wamac had no additional bond set as he was also arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor
warrant. Both Juds and Speagel had public defenders appointed to represent them.
