Couple arrested following burglary, police pursuit
Two people were arrested Monday afternoon near Ephrata following an alleged burglary at Rimrock Meadows.
EPHRATA — Two people were arrested Monday afternoon near Ephrata following an alleged burglary at Rimrock Meadows, then trying to flee from law enforcement.
The suspects were identified as Fernando Fransisco Camarena Jr., 31, Wenatchee, and Katie L. Wenz, 30, Moses Lake.
Around 2 p.m., authorities were notified of a burglary of an RV camper in progress at Rimrock Meadows, located about 20 miles northwest of Ephrata in Douglas County. Deputies there were responding to a red Pontiac Montana minivan that was observed leaving the scene.
A Grant County sheriff’s deputy spotted the van on Sagebrush Flats Road and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver continued on with other deputies joining a high-speed pursuit toward Ephrata.
Near the intersection of Johnson Road NW, the van drove through a fence and into a field, but stalled in sagebrush. Two occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, but deputies caught them a short time later, according to the sheriff’s office.
When searched, Camarena allegedly had illegal brass knuckles and a membership card in the name of the burglary victim in his possession. He was initially taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for medical evaluation, then booked into the Grant County Jail. Wenz was transferred to the custody of Douglas County authorities.
Earlier today (Tuesday, Feb. 3), Camarena made an initial appearance in Grant County Superior Court, when he pled not guilty to charges of felony eluding, third-degree possession of stolen property, and possession of a dangerous weapon. Judge Anna Gigliotti set bail at $5,000, appointed a public defender to represent him, and scheduled trial for March 25.
