Man crashes into police department gate
Candice Boutilier/Columbia Basin HeraldA man reportedly crashed into a gate protecting police vehicles at the Moses Lake Police Department Thursday night.
MOSES LAKE - A man reportedly crashed into a security gate at the police department intentionally Thursday night.
"He wanted to go to jail, he said he did it on purpose," Capt. Dave Ruffin said Friday.
He said the man did not specify why he wanted to go to jail and he did not have any warrants for his arrest.
Allen J. Pavese, 54, Moses Lake, was arrested for malicious mischief in the first degree, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit and run with property damage.
Pavese reportedly drove a 1977 Chevrolet truck into the south gate entrance to the pit containing police vehicles, Ruffin said.
Officers inside the building reportedly heard the noise from the crash and came outside to investigate, he said. Pavese was reportedly seen backing away from the gate in his truck.
When the officer approached him, Pavese allegedly said he wanted to go to jail, Ruffin said.
The gate is expected to be replaced this week, he said. Additional testing will be done to find out if the electronic system operating the gate was damaged.
The gate protects the police vehicles and blocks entry to the doorway leading to the booking area.
There are signs posted near the gate stating authorized personnel are only allowed at the area.