Carjackers caught after crashing stolen car

18-year-old vehicle owner uninjured

MOSES LAKE — A pair of 22-year-old Moses Lake men allegedly stole an occupied vehicle after holding a knife to the driver's throat Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The two suspects were eventually arrested after apparently wrecking the stolen Honda Civic hatchback, and the vehicle's 18-year-old owner escaped with no reported injuries, the Grant County Sheriff's Office stated.

Michael H. Villegas and Korod A. Olden were arrested on charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, first-degree theft and first-degree possession of stolen property, according to the GCSO.

The incident started when Javier T. Vasquez, of Moses Lake, was parked at 9998 Maple Drive and Villegas and Olden apparently approached him, demanding a ride to an unknown location. Vasquez refused, leading Villegas to allegedly hold a knife to Vasquez's throat.

Vasquez escaped while the two knife-wielding suspects apparently stole the vehicle.

Deputies responded to the scene and began interviewing Vasquez when the Moses Lake Police Department received a call regarding a one-vehicle accident involving a vehicle similar to Vasquez's stolen Honda Civic.

The collision occurred in the 1100 block of Lakeside Drive, where police held the vehicle's passenger after being advised the vehicle had been reported stolen.

Deputies drove Vasquez to the accident scene where he positively identified Korod as one of the alleged perpetrators.

Villegas was believed to be the driver and managed to leave the scene of the accident, but was arrested after a citizen reported a suspicious male subject trying to flag down their vehicle and requesting a ride to the hospital.

Deputies received the subject's physical description, apparently matching Villegas, located him on foot and took him into custody without incident.

Villegas was then identified as the second carjacking suspect.

Korod was slightly injured in the car accident and was taken to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and treated for minor injuries. Villegas also received treatment for minor injuries. Both suspects were booked into Grant County Jail.