Man in court after Felida burglary, police chase

A transient man appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court after he allegedly burglarized a Felida mini mart, stole thousands of dollars in tobacco products and then led deputies on a high-speed chase, which ended after he crashed into a pole early Saturday morning.

Cody I. Christianson, 37, appeared on suspicion of two counts of second-degree burglary, second-degree malicious mischief, second-degree theft, attempting to elude police, possession of a stolen vehicle and third-degree driving with a suspended license.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary in progress at Quick Shop Minit Mart, 12604 N.W. 36th Ave., at about 3:15 a.m. Deputy Tom Maxfield attempted to stop a gold Honda at the store, but it fled and a brief pursuit ensued. For safety reasons, the pursuit was called off — but the suspect kept speeding, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.

Within minutes, Deputy Jack Phane observed the same vehicle traveling more than 90 mph eastbound on Northeast 99th Street. The vehicle crossed Highway 99 against a red light and lost control after becoming airborne. It crashed into a power pole and rolled onto its side, spilling $2,000 to $3,000 worth of cigarette packs and chewing tobacco cans, the affidavit states.

The driver, later identified by police as Christianson, jumped onto the overturned car and hopped a 6-foot fence. Phane pursued Christianson on foot and took him into custody after Christianson was unable to escape the fenced area. Phane sustained deep cuts to both hands from the sharp fence and required stitches, court records said.

A deputy who responded to the store said the front glass door was smashed and estimated the damage to be worth about $1,000. Video surveillance showed the burglar, who was wearing a white hockey mask, scooping tobacco products into a large plastic tub, according to court documents. The mask was found with the suspect’s vehicle, the affidavit said.

The Honda turned out to be stolen from the Kelso area, court records said.

On Monday, Judge Daniel Stahnke appointed Christianson an attorney and set bail at $100,000.

Christianson has multiple prior felony arrests in Cowlitz County and is the suspect in another recent burglary in Hazel Dell, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

He will be arraigned July 22.