Tacoma man arrested in Centralia on alleged weapons charge

A Tacoma man was arrested during an emphasis patrol at a Centralia outlet mall Thursday night.

Officers were paroling the mall off Lum Road when they saw a 20-year-old man driving at a high rate of speed in the parking lot and nearly getting hit by another vehicle, according to a news release.

The officers stopped the car and smelled marijuana coming from the car and later discovered the man had a suspended license.

The man was arrested and searched. Police found a large amount of money on the 20-year-old and requested for a search warrant to search the man's car, the release said. The officers searched the man's car and found a loaded .45 caliber pistol and drug paraphernalia.

Any person in possession of marijuana under the age of 21 is illegal, the release said. It's also illegal to smoke marijuana in a public place or be under the influence of the drug while driving.

The man was booked in Lewis County Jail where he is being accused of felon in possession of a firearm. Possible further charges are pending.

Centralia officers will continue emphasis patrols throughout the holiday due to the high volume of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the release said.