Sheriff: Moses Lake raid yields over $100K in stolen property

MOSES LAKE, Wash. (Jan. 27, 2014) – Four men are jailed today after Grant County law enforcement officers in search of stolen property raided a home east of Moses Lake, the county sheriff said in a media advisory Monday afternoon.

Around 9 a.m., the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team served a search warrant at 4562 Road N-Northeast. The raid was related to an investigation into the Jan. 20 thefts of property from National Frozen Foods in Moses Lake.

During that crime, a utility trailer, two pickup trucks, generators, tires, tools, storage tanks and hydraulic parts were stolen. With the exception of the pickup trucks, which were recovered earlier, the balance of National Frozen Foods' stolen property was recovered from inside and around a shop at the Road N address, the sheriff's office said.

Other suspected stolen goods were also found, and deputies were inventorying the property this morning. Some of that property may be connected to thefts in Spokane, Yakima and Lincoln counties.

One notable piece is a $77,000 Bobcat loader listed as stolen from a Yakima County resident. Thus far, deputies estimate over $100,000 in suspected stolen property has been recovered.

Anonymous tips led deputies to the Road N home.

The advisory said those lodged in the Grant County Jail are:

· Joel L. Wright, 46, Moses Lake (renter of the Road N home and shop): suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property.

· Tate B. Wright, 19, Moses Lake: suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property.

· Corey A. Sweet, 40, Moses Lake: suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine.

· Patrick E. Pearson, 41, Moses Lake: suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property, outstanding warrants for burglary and vehicle prowling.

"Deputies did a great job investigating this case, and tips from the public helped a lot," Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones said. "There was a large amount of stolen goods found at this location, and I'm sure the property owners will be happy to get their things back."

The investigation continues. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Grant County Sheriff's Office at 509-754-2011 ext. 468, or send info to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us. Reference case number 14GS01015. Tipsters can remain anonymous.