Arrests made in Ephrata for scrap metal thefts

EPHRATA - Two men and a woman were arrested this week after allegedly stealing aluminum, scrap metal and cut wire from an Ephrata wrecking yard.

Ephrata Police learned the three suspects allegedly left a homemade trailer at the Kozlov wrecking yard at the Port of Ephrata. The wrecking yard moved the trailer, police said.

The theft of metal and wire was reported at about 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to Ephrata Police Chief Joe Varick. He said it's possible the suspects were going to sell the metal for scrap.

Police caught up with one suspect later in the day. An officer overheard radio traffic about a Grant County deputy being assigned to take down a theft report of a stolen trailer.

Ephrata Police went to the Basin Street address where the suspect, Robert Lee Tyler, 46, of Snohomish, was allegedly planning to meet the deputy.

Tyler reportedly confessed when confronted by police about the trailer being at Kozlov's and the thefts.

Tyler was arrested and booked on suspicion of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, first-degree malicious mischief and possession of stolen property.

The trailer wasn't stolen off state Route 17 as Tyler claimed, Varick said.

Officers found two suspected accomplices at the wrecking yard the same day hiding behind vehicles, Varick stated.

The other suspects, John Charles Blake, 39, of Granite Falls, and Anjanette A. Talbert, 37, of Snohomish, were both booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft and first-degree malicious mischief.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office assisted with the case.