A Lakewood man was sentenced to 19 years in jail after pleading guilty to eight felonies and one misdemeanor committed in April 2022 and November 2021.
Gata Leilua plead guilty to the following charges on Sept. 21, according to the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:
Last April 22, Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an armed robbery at Buddies Deli and Grocery, but the suspect, later identified as Leilua, had already fled the scene when they arrived.
Deputies later located Leilua in a green Subaru at a gas station. The suspect fled in his car when the authorities approached him and they gave chase. The pursuit ended when Leilua drove into a residential area, hitting a beam supporting a balcony as well as a fence.
The suspect abandoned the vehicle and jumped over the fence into the parking lot of Olympic View Elementary, despite commands from law enforcement.
Leilua attempted to steal two occupied vehicles and fired three shots at a fleeing car when he was unsuccessful.
The suspect then fled on foot to a home where he held the homeowner at gunpoint and demanded keys to the owner’s vehicle.
Another chase ensued into Pierce County, where deputies lost sight of the vehicle. Leilua was located later that evening.
During both pursuits, Leilua drove in an “erratic manner,” according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
It was not immediately clear what incident took place in November 2021.
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olyhiker
Good grief. 8 felonies and he goes to prison. What happened to the 3 strikes law?
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 Report this
FirstOtter
THis guy is a frequent flyer and he's still out on the street? Like one commenter asked, where did the 3 Stirkes law go? Oh, I know. a bunch of bleeding hearts got that tossed out.
People who've never looked at the ugly end of a gun don't understand what it's like to be held up, or assaulted, or been in one's own home and have a couple of thieves sticking weapons in your face.
Leilua has been terrorizing the area for years. He needs to stay in prison for a long time. He won't be rehabilitated...people like him don't do that. I don't want to hear he was 'abused' or bullied as a child. So have many others and they don't steal, rob, assault, car jack and other crimes.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 Report this