'Extreme risk to community safety': Judge sets $500K bail for man who fled from Centralia to Thurston County

It took a drone, an airplane and a police K9 to capture German Rosas-Arenas following a chase from Centralia to Olympia last Friday.

On Monday, Lewis County Superior Court Judge Paul Strophy set the Tacoma man's bail at $500,000 cash or bond, calling the defendant an "extreme risk to community safety."

If he posts bail, Rosas-Arenas, 33, must wear a secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring (SCRAM) device and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while the case is pending.

Strophy cited the allegations and the defendant's criminal history as two reasons for the high bail.

Prosecutors during the preliminary hearing noted that Rosas-Arenas has a pending criminal charge in Thurston County for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Rosas-Arenas's history includes convictions for second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, third-degree assault, attempting to elude, third-degree rape, second-degree escape, reckless burning and third-degree theft, among other offenses.

Court documents indicate he was released from community custody on Jan. 22.

In a Facebook post, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said Rosas-Arenas has also been involved in "multiple high-speed chases."

He now faces one count each of attempting to elude a police vehicle, driving while under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.

The eluding charge carries a special allegation that Rosas-Arenas endangered one or more persons other than himself and the pursuing officers. If he's convicted, an additional 12 months and one day will be added to the standard sentence range, which is calculated based on the defendant's criminal history and the severity of the crime.

The Class C felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the Centralia Police Department, officers first attempted to stop Rosas-Arenas's vehicle in the 200 block of South Tower Avenue at about 8:35 p.m. April 10.

A probable cause affidavit notes the suspect was driving a brown pickup truck without a rear license plate. The officer observed the truck weaving "back and forth across its lane of travel."

After moving to the right lane, the suspect allegedly sped up and turned onto West Main Street. He then ran a red light and passed other vehicles by driving into the oncoming lane.

The pursuing officer relocated the truck and followed it north on Interstate 5.

According to the affidavit, the truck drove with its headlights off, "weaved across all three lanes of travel and onto the shoulder to pass other vehicles, and nearly struck several other vehicles."

At one point, the truck neared speeds of 125 mph.

Centralia police pursued until the suspect took Exit 114 near Lacey.

In his post, Sanders said the suspect "made the mistake of fleeing into Thurston County."

Sanders said he and deputies from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) "joined the pursuit in Tumwater and worked on getting a grappler into position."

Heavy traffic forced them to call it off.

The Washington State Patrol's (WSP) airplane "Smokey" kept eyes on the suspect from above, allowing TCSO to end its pursuit.

Sanders said the suspect continued to drive recklessly, "despite no law enforcement officers in pursuit," as he sped through red lights and "drove the wrong way down the road."

After driving west from Lacey through downtown Olympia, the suspect parked his vehicle on 11th Avenue Southwest, before running through a "wooded area on a trail" and jumping a fence to get into a nearby apartment building, according to the affidavit.

Rosas-Arenas was soon surrounded by officers from the Centralia Police Department, TCSO, WSP and Olympia Police Department.

After obtaining a search warrant, police flew a drone inside the unit to "clear the majority of the structure," according to the sheriff.

"Then, K9 Igo was deployed to the front door with his K9 cam and began barking," Sanders said. "A flash bang was also deployed."

During the search, the drone reportedly saw the suspect "trying to stuff clothing in the crack between the floor and the bathroom door," according to Sanders.

In the end, Igo compelled Rosas-Arenas to surrender.

According to the affidavit, Rosas-Arenas "admitted to having one beer earlier in the day," though officers later found a glass pipe containing suspected methamphetamine in the truck.

Police determined the truck was registered to Rosas-Arenas.

Officers booked the suspect into the Lewis County Jail without bail at about 1 a.m. April 11.

Rosas-Arenas allegedly refused to take a breath test, so officers obtained a warrant for a blood draw and took samples.

Sanders, who did not name Rosas-Arenas in his post, said the suspect was a registered sex offender out of Pierce County.

"Fantastic teamwork, communication, and decision making by all of the involved law enforcement agencies tonight, and a special shout out to WSP's airplane Smokey for helping us deliver a safe outcome for uninvolved motorists," Sanders said.

Rosas-Arenas was scheduled for an arraignment on April 16.

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:25 AM.