The Chronicle

A Hoquiam man in the process of moving to the area was arrested on robbery charges after refusing to pay for a donut Saturday in Centralia.

Robert O. Bray, 33, escaped robbery charges, but was formally charged Monday in Lewis County Superior Court on suspicion of fourth-degree assault, third-degree theft and second-degree possession of stolen property.

Police say that about 10 p.m. Saturday, a Centralia police officer responded to a grocery store for a report that a man, identified as Bray, ate a doughnut, valued at 79 cents, while walking through the store, then refused to pay.

An employee attempted to stop Bray from leaving, and Bray allegedly shoved the man’s hand away and threatened to punch him.

Bray then reportedly left the area. On Sunday, Centralia police responded to a report of a suspicious person, who turned out to be Bray. A search of Bray during his arrest revealed a debit card and driver’s license in his wallet that did not belong to him. Police believe the items were taken in a vehicle prowl reported the previous day.

Bray had a felony Department of Corrections warrant for escaping from community custody at the time of his arrest.