A Longview man who allegedly pointed a gun at a police officer after leading authorities on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle was arraigned Friday in Clark County Superior Court.
Scott D. Lavelle Jr., 23, pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree robbery, first-degree attempted kidnapping, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
All of the charges stem from a daylong crime spree on June 25. Lavelle reportedly fled from Clark County Sheriff’s deputies in Felida during a morning drug investigation. He later allegedly carjacked a woman at gunpoint and then led authorities on a car chase through Hazel Dell that ended in west Vancouver’s Lincoln neighborhood that evening. He was captured about 8:15 p.m. by officers and a police dog.
Deputies had attempted to stop a vehicle that Lavelle was a passenger in, but the vehicle sped off and crashed just before noon, according to the sheriff’s office. No one was injured. Lavelle reportedly ran away. Police searched for him near the Salmon Creek Trail but were unable to locate him.
Lavelle was wanted on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, court records said.
On the afternoon of June 25, police were advised by the Drug Task Force that Lavelle was seen in the area of Northwest 119th Street in Vancouver. He was reportedly heading to the Country Market, 1804 N.W. 119th St., to meet his grandmother, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Clark County Superior Court.
Police spotted Lavelle about 6:30 p.m. speeding in a white Mercury Cougar near the market on Northwest 119th Street. Deputies attempted to pull the car over, but it continued south, reportedly hitting speeds of 80 mph, court documents said.
Lavelle had allegedly obtained the car in an armed carjacking at the market, the affidavit says. Jennifer Thomas told police Lavelle had been hiding under blankets in the back seat of her car. He reached out and grabbed her when she got inside and pointed a gun at her. She said he wanted her to drive him to Longview, according to court records.
Thomas said she tried to get Lavelle to leave and refused to drive him. When that didn’t work, she pushed open the door as Lavelle climbed into the front seat and freed herself from his grasp. She ran and he sped off in the vehicle, court records said.
The pursuit led police to West 39th Street, where Lavelle lost control of the car and crashed at the intersection of Northeast Creston Avenue. He ran from the car, pointing a 9mm handgun at a pursuing sheriff’s deputy, the affidavit says. Officers reportedly found a 9mm round near 205 E. 39th St. that appeared to have misfired.
A SWAT team responded to the area and set up a search perimeter. One of the K-9 officers tracking Lavelle found and bit him. He was apparently hiding behind a detached garage behind 202 E. 39th St., according to court documents.
He was taken into custody and sent to a local hospital for treatment of the dog bite.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force had conducted two search warrants in North Hazel Dell and East Vancouver, which resulted in the seizure of more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine and $27,000 in cash. Three people were arrested in connection, including Lavelle later that day, the sheriff’s office said.
He was also wanted in connection with a kidnapping case in Cowlitz County.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Cowlitz County Superior Court, Lavelle and Nikkea Marin, 26, of Longview allegedly impersonated police to steal marijuana, vehicle titles and other valuables from a family on June 7. The couple allegedly came to a home on Ocean Beach Highway in Longview dressed as officers, wearing handguns and radios, and served a fake search warrant.
The couple allegedly handcuffed the victims and stole half a pound of marijuana, $200 in cash and a lock box with vehicle titles in it, the affidavit says.
Lavelle is being held in the Clark County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. His trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 24.
