Stolen car, drugs seized in Ephrata

Meth found

EPHRATA - What started out as a domestic violence call ended with authorities seizing a car and drugs on Friday from an Ephrata home.

Ephrata Police responded at 4:15 a.m. to a Sixth Avenue home because of an alleged domestic disturbance between the couple living there, Ephrata Police Chief Joe Varick indicated Friday afternoon.

Soap Lake Police assisted with the call.

Amber R. Barnes, 29, of Ephrata, was found at the home with injuries police described as minor. She was not hospitalized.

She was later arrested on warrants and on suspicion of methamphetamine possession and fourth-degree assault-domestic violence.

The domestic violence suspect, Paul N. Smith, 40, of Ephrata, was arrested after he was allegedly found hiding in the garage-shop area.

While in the shop, police also allegedly found a 1989 Ford Mustang reported as stolen from Pierce County and an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine.

A search warrant to find more suspected drugs was carried out Friday, said Ephrata Sgt. Dan Bohnet.

The amount and type of drugs seized wasn't available Friday afternoon.