Waitsburg Man Pleads Not Guilty to Multiple Charges

WAITSBURG - A Waitsburg man entered not guilty pleas to charges of burglary, theft, and malicious mischief in Columbia County Superior Court last week. Lonnie Marick, 39, was arrested on Feb. 24, when a Columbia County search warrant resulted in the discovery of multiple stolen items at his residence.

According to police reports, a warrant was requested following a burglary at commercial buildings located on Highway 12 in Columbia County. Walla Walla and Columbia County Sheriff's office deputies executed a search at Marick's residence at 705 E. Maple in Waitsburg on Feb. 24.

No items were found inside the residence but 17 of the 21 items listed on the warrant were reportedly located in the shed behind the mobile home as well as many other items that had not been noticed as missing at the time.

Among the stolen items were camping gear, hand tools, lumber, plywood, a tow bar, and a golf cart windshield. According to the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office, three truck loads of stolen goods were recovered.

Marick was arrested and is currently being held in the Columbia County Jail on $20,000 bail. He is charged with one count of burglary in the second degree, theft in the first degree, and malicious mischief in the first degree. All are Class B felonies.

Marick was already facing charges in Columbia County for possession of methamphetamine and criminal trespassing in the second degree. Those charges stem from an incident in October 2015 when Marick was allegedly discovered with a vehicle and boat in a field across from Wing-Air on Highway 12. A wallet containing $2,883 in cash, tools, and a methamphetamine pipe were allegedly found at the scene.

Trial setting is scheduled for March 16 for the new charges.