Law Enforcement Reports

The following law enforcement reports were posted Saturday, May 9, 2026:

EPHRATA POLICE

Police located a wanted subject on Friday, May 8. Francisco Amezcua Torres, 27, no town listed, was taken into custody on a state Department of Corrections detention warrant and booked into the Grant County Jail.

A fraud report was received Wednesday, May 6, from a resident who said her debit card had been used without permission for retail purchases in the Ephrata area. She was not sure about pursuing criminal charges, but agreed to further discuss the matter and provide bank documentation to police.

A report of unusual circumstances was received at 11:46 a.m. Wednesday, May 6. Police were told that a male subject had made multiple phone calls to a local bank, claiming an unspecified “they” were intent on killing him. A bank official said the man claimed he was at a café somewhere in Moses Lake, and that he was possibly intoxicated because his speech was slurred.

A harassment incident was reported at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday, May 6 in the 200 block of Mocliff Road. The complainant said her ex-boyfriend accessed her personal information and she had to change passwords on her devices. The woman was advised to seek a court no-contact order if the behavior continued.

At 9:15 a.m, on Wednesday, May 6, officers located a wanted subject at her residence. Nicole Renee Dudley, 36, Ephrata, was taken into custody on outstanding district court warrants and booked into jail.

A non-injury, non-blocking traffic accident was reporte at 12:48 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6 in the 1400 block of Basin Street S.W. Police said Isabella D. Amaya, 21, Quincy, fell asleep while driving and her 2017 Dodge Charger struck two mailboxes. The car was towed from the scene.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 1:14 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 in the 1100 block of Second Avenue N.E. Police were told that a 45-year-old Ephrata man got into an argument with a juvenile female and struck her several times with a belt, leaving marks. The man fled the residence prior to the arrival of officers, and an attempt-to-locate advisory was issued to area law enforcement.

A theft attempt was reported at 12:13 a.m. Monday, May 4, in the 100 block of D Street S.W. The complainant advised that an unknown male subject was observed trying to steal gas from two vehicles. When confronted, the suspect fled in a white Mitsubishi vehicle, police were told.

A report of unusual circumstances was received at 2:25 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in the 300 block of Sixth Avenue S.E. The complainant said a male subject has been in the vicinity and hitting golf balls from a field located behind residential homes. The complainant said one golf ball hit the roof of his shop and another landed near where his family was playing. The complainant said he contacted the golfer and advised him of the concerns.

A two-vehicle collision was reported at 5:53 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the 300 block of Basin Street S.W. Police said Josh R. Richmond, 24, Ephrata, had stopped for traffic and his 2019 Subaru Outback was struck by a 2021 Chevrolet pickup driven by Ethan W. Welch, 25, Watson, Illinois. The wreck temporarily blocked the southbound lane of Basin Street.

A disturbance was reported at 5:33 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the 1300 block of Basin Street S.W. Police were told that an unidentified male subject was yelling and damaging a bicycle in the parking lot of the Chukar Hills convenience store. The man left the location prior to the arrival of officers.

A verbal disturbance was reported at 5:17 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the first block of G Street N.E. Police were told that a male subject appeared to be following a woman with a baby. Officers contacted the couple and were told they had a verbal altercation at a downtown business and the woman decided to walk home. The dispute continued and the man took the baby and walked off from the location.

SOAP LAKE POLICE

While on patrol at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, an officer observed an unleashed German shepherd running in and out of traffic at the intersection of Daisy Street and First Avenue. The officer retrieved the animal, contacted its owner in a nearby van, and informed him that he would be cited for allowing the dog to run at large.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 9:24 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 in the 700 block of Third Avenue. An officer contacted a 34-year-old Ephrata woman who said she had been assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. Police were unable to immediately locate the suspect, identified as a 36-year-old Soap Lake resident. A report was submitted to the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of criminal charges.

 While on patrol at 11:38 a.m. Saturday, May 2, an officer observed black smoke in the air and located a structure fire near the intersection of First Avenue N.E. and Elder Street. Police provided perimeter security for firefighters responding from Grant County Fire Districts 7 of Lakeview and 13 of Ephrata and the Ephrata Fire Department.

A disturbance was reported at 3:10 p.m. last Friday, May 1 in the 600 block of Third Place S.E. An officer contacted two parties involved in a neighbor dispute over a civil matter. They were informed that if the behavior continued, they could seek an court-issued anti-harassment order.

While on patrol at 1:16 p.m. last Thursday, April 30, an officer observed a wanted subject walking near the intersection of South Division Avenue and Elder Street. Gabriel Guzman, 33, Ephrata, was taken into custody on an outstanding district court warrant and booked into the county jail.

The following individuals were cited for driving with suspended licenses following traffic stops over the past week: Samuel Engelhardt, 40, Ephrata; Nicole McMahon, 45, Quincy; Kolby Brown, 32, Ephrata.

GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF

A disturbance was reported at 9:36 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at a location in the Moses Lake Sand Dunes. The complainant said a driver in a Jeep was trying to run over his campsite. Deputies located a suspect, identified as 31-year-old Ryan Anthony Scott of Grain Valley, Missouri. Scott was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and an out-of-state warrant.

Following a traffic stop at 10:49 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at an unspecified location, Raymond Jacob Sicking, 35, Grand Coulee, was arrested on an outstanding district court warrant and booked into the county jail. 

At 7:58 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Dodson Road between Road 11-SW and Frenchman Hills Road. A semi truck and trailer hauling potatoes had rolled, blocking the roadway. No injuries were reported. Traffic was temporarily detoured until the truck and trailer could be towed from the scene.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the 4200 block of Airway Drive NE near Moses Lake. Authorities were told that a male subject had entered a residence in violation of a court no-contact/protection. Deputies and Moses Lake police responded and a K-9 dog located the suspect hiding behind a nearby dumpster. Oscar Alexander Ocon Hernandez, 26, Moses Lake, was arrested for the violations and booked into the county jail.

Following a traffic stop at 8:58 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 in the 9900 block of US 2 East, Sherry Lynn Wyman, 61, Coulee City, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, motor vehicle alcohol-ignition violation, and outstanding district court warrants. She was booked into the county jail.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, deputies located a wanted subject in the 2100 block of Road M-SE near Moses Lake. Nicholas Christopher Boyd, 36, Moses Lake, was taken into custody and booked into jail on a state Department of Corrections detention warrant.

At 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, deputies located a wanted subject in the 1200 block of Mather Drive NE near Moses Lake, Daniel Patrick Johnson, 67, Moses Lake, was taken into custody and booked into jail on an outstanding district court warrant.

Authorities received a 911 call at 8:01 p.m. Monday, May 4. The caller said a male subject slapped a female acquaintance and was trying to fight two other individuals, including a minor. The suspect, described as 6-foot-4 and weighing 310 pounds, reportedly stopped after one of the alleged victims hit him with a shovel. Deputies responded to the Sand Hollow area in the 11000 block of State Route 243 South. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Luis Erasmo Espinoza of Sumner, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and two counts of fourth-degree assault.  

A domestic disturbance was reported at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, in the 11000 block of Road 15-NE. The complainant said a male acquaintance grabbed her arm and shoved her. Marvin Douglas Taft, 57, Moses Lake, was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and booked into jail.

A disturbance was reported at 6:24 a.m. Sunday, May 3, in the 1800 block of Kittelson Road at Moses Lake. Authorities were told that a male subject was upset about a bus ticket, causing issues and yelling at employees while refusing to leave Ernie’s Truck Stop. Deputies responded and arrested John Michael Bowers, 31, Spokane, on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespass. He was booked into the county jail.

At 9:27 a.m. Saturday, May 2, authorities were told that a male subject who appeared to be highly intoxicated was revving the engine and trying to move a vehicle on the South Frontage Road West in George. Deputies responded and arrested Francisco Juan Muy-Pacaja, 49, Quincy, on suspicion of physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was booked into jail.

A disturbance was reported at 1:02 a.m. Saturday, May 2, in the 1400 block of West Craig Street near Moses Lake. Authorities were told that a couple could be heard arguing and that a female subject allegedly threw a phone and swung at a former boyfriend. Ruby Blancita Rodriguez Santiago, 27, Moses Lake, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and third-degree malicious mischief (domestic violence).

A domestic disturbance was reported at 4:56 p.m. last Friday, May 1, in the 4900 block of Road 3.7-NE. The complainant said a female family member hit him in the face three times. Brandy Michelle Guzman, 48, Moses Lake, was arrested and booked on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).

Authorities were notified at 9:22 p.m. last Thursday, April 30, that a couple were observed arguing in the 4200 block of Airway Drive NE near Moses Lake. Deputies responded and determined a male subject was at the location in violation of a court no-contact/protection order. Tristan Lee Elliott, 25, Moses Lake, was taken into custody and booked into jail.

Authorities were notified at 5:39 p.m. last Thursday, April 30, that a male subject had gone to a location in the 7400 block of Dune Lake Road SE in violation of a court no-contact/protection order. Shawn William Needham, 55, Moses Lake, was taken into custody and booked into jail.

Authorities received a 911 hangup call at 12:13 p.m. last Thursday, April 30, from a male subject who said there was an emergency. Deputies responded to a location in the 11000 block of Dodson Road NW and determined a domestic disturbance had occurred involving a female suspect. Destiny Ray Matthynssens, 27, Ephrata, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).

The following law enforcement reports were posted Friday, May 1, 2026:

EPHRATA POLICE

A report of suspicious circumstances was received at 9:24 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the 400 block of 11^th Avenue S.W. Police were told that voices were heard in a dugout at the Parkway Field baseball complex. An officer located an intoxicated male subject who was talking on the phone with a friend. The friend responded to the location and transported the man to a local motel.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, in the 2200 block of Basin Street S.W. Officers were told that a female subject scratched a 35-year-old male acquaintance and threw glassware during an argument. Sayda Villatoro Castro, 27, Soap Lake, was arrested and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and third-degree malicious mischief (domestic violence).

At 9:28 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, police were notified of a juvenile runaway from Moses Lake. Officers located the 12-year-old boy in the 200 block of Nat Washington Way. When approached, the boy allegedly hit an officer and was found with marijuana in his possession. The boy was taken into custody for assault of a law enforcement officer and a controlled substance violation.

A verbal dispute was reported at 12:43 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the 200 block of C Street S.E. The complainant said she was moving out of an apartment and her roommmate would not allow her to take the cats, which had been moved to another location. An office explained that cats are considered personal property and the dispute was a civil matter. The complainant contacted police again around 4 p.m., claiming the cats had been stolen and it was a matter of theft. Police again advised it was a civil matter to be handled in small claims court.

A disturbance was reported at 11:43 a.m. Monday, April 27, in the 1100 block of Basin Street S.W. A Moses Lake resident told police that he saw a man littering at the location and refusing to pick up the material when confronted during an ensuing verbal argument. The complainant then blocked the alleged litterer from leaving until the debris was cleaned up. Officers arrived, separated the parties, and determined their dispute did not meet a legal threshold for criminal harassment. The one subject did clean up the litter before leaving.

A report of suspicious circumstances was reported at 6:41 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the 100 block of First Avenue N.W. Police were told that a male subject was loitering near the Ephrata Post Office. An officer contacted the man, who was lying on the sidewalk and explained that he was “waiting on an apartment in town.” The man was advised to wait across the street at the Amtrak multi-modal center.

At 11:54 a.m. Saturday, April 25, police were advised of three unauthorized encampments in a field east of a location near Nat Washington Way SE. An officer contacted three male subjects: two were described as cooperative with packing up their tent and leaving; one was described as uncooperative and facing possible citation.

On Saturday, April 25, police located two wanted subjects camping in a van in the 100 block of Ninth Avenue S.E. The two individuals were suspects in the forced break-in of a storage shed on April 23 at St. Rose of Lima School in the 500 block of Nat Washington Way. William T. LaRoque, 42, Ephrata, and Tiffany L. Price, 35, Moses Lake, were arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, and third-degree malicious mischief.

SOAP LAKE POLICE

Police were notified at 6:27 a.m. Wednesday, April 29, of large rocks in the roadway on State Route 17 just north of Soap Lake. An officer said he removed several “basketball-sized rocks” from the highway, and notified the state Department of Transportation about the ongoing hazards over the past several days.

At 1:20 p.m. Monday, April 27, a 76-year-old woman in the 600 block of Third Place S.E. told police that her son was breaking into her property and yelling and calling her names. She asked for him to be trespassed from the premises and damaging property.

At 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, police located a male subject near the intersection of State Routes 28 East and 17 North who was wanted on several outstanding district court warrants. Arturo Julian Rodriguez, 25, Moses Lake, was taken into custody on additional charges of resisting arrest and harassment/threats to kill. He was booked into the Grant County Jail.

At 1:33 p.m. last Friday, April 24, police located a wanted subject in the 100 block of C Street N.W. in Ephrata. John Robert Fencl, 54, Soap Lake, was taken into custody on outstanding district court warrants and booked into the county jail.

The following persons were cited for driving/vehicle offenses over the past week: Juan Rivas Vega, 56, Soap Lake, failure to transfer vehicle title, expired registration and no proof of vehicle liability insurance; Bobby Peters, 43, Coulee City, driving while license suspended; Kolby Brown, 32, Ephrata, driving while license suspended; two 17-year-old Soap Lake boys, no valid operators’ licenses, no proof of vehicle liability insurance, and speeding; Lea Valencia, 21, Warden, driving while license suspended; Amador Silva Ochoa, 29, Soap Lake, driving while license susended.

GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF

A trespassing incident was reported at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, April 30, in the 6900 block of Road U-SE. Authorities were told that a male subject was at the property of a female acquaintance and allegedly assaulted her. Mark Anthony Brown, 58, Tacoma, was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and booked into the Grant County Jail.

At 6:42 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, authorities were told that a male subject was filming a female acquaintance at a public fishing area along State Route 262 East in the vicinity of the Potholes Reservoir. Deputies determined the man, identified as 57-year-old Andrew Jackson Calvert IV, was in violation of a court no-contact/protection order. He was taken into custody and booked into jail.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 6:56 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the 17200 block of Road B.5-NE. The complainant said her sister had been assaulted by a male acquaintance. Mitchell Lee Barmore, 27, Ephrata, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence).

An assault was reported at 4:51 p.m. Monday, April 27, in the 9700 block of Road 22.7-NE near Stratford. A 73-year-old resident told authorities that he was struck in the right hip by a vehicle driven by a neighbor, who also hit the complainant’s parked car, damaging a fender. Ronald Eugene Henke, 68, Stratford, was arrested near the scene and booked into jail on suspicion of assault and hit-and-run (unattended vehicle damage).

A report of suspicious circumstances was reported at 9:13 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in the 8000 block of Road 1-SE, near Warden. The complainant said a male acquaintance had been following her and a friend. Zane Daniel Hill, 20, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was arrested on suspicion of stalking and booked into jail.

A domestic disturbance was reported at 11:07 a.m. Sunday, April 26, in the 4100 block of Orchard Drive NE near Moses Lake. The complainant said she was struck twice by a male acquaintance, who also allegedly broke some possessions. Damien Luke Alpine, 30, Moses Lake, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) and malicious mischief (domestic violence).

A trespassing incident was reported at 9:02 a.m. Sunday, April 26, in the 11000 block of Neppel Road NE near Moses Lake. The complainant said a male subject had climbed over a fence and entered his business office. Gary Lee Dominguez, 66, Moses Lake, was arrested for first-degree criminal trespassing and booked into jail.

A traffic collision involving property damage was reported at 6:39 p.m. Saturday, April 25, in the 4300 block of McConihe Road NE near Moses Lake. The complainant said a driver, described as intoxicated, had crashed his vehicle through a fence. Angel Gabriel Avila Cortes, 18, Moses Lake, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of driving under the influence.

A non-injury traffic collision was reported at 7:18 p.m. last Thursday, April 23, in the 200 block of Railroad Street in Wilson Creek. Deputies were told that a child had placed a vehicle into gear while parked and the vehicle crashed into the front of the Wilson Creek Post Office.