Owner of fleeing SUV located in Moses Lake
Cameron Probert/Columbia Basin Herald<br> A Washington State Patrol trooper and a Moses Lake police officer discuss the arrest of the last registered owner of a GMC Yukon connected to an armed robbery in Othello last week.
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested in connection with an Adams County sheriff’s deputy firing his pistol at a suspect last week.
An armed robbery of two Royal City men in Othello led to a police pursuit on Wednesday night. The 28- and 35-year-old victims told police two men assaulted them and robbed them at gunpoint before fleeing in a GMC Yukon.
“The pursuit proceeded out to Cemetery Road where the vehicle apparently drove through a fence to gain access to (state Route) 17,” Othello police Chief Steve Dunnagan reported.
The pursuit came to an end when the Yukon rolled in a field near Lee Street, landing on its side.
As law enforcement approached the vehicle, a suspect allegedly fired a shot through a window from the inside of the SUV. Two suspects exited the vehicle and one reportedly aimed a firearm at a deputy. The deputy shot at the suspect.
It’s unclear if the suspect was injured by gunfire but authorities believe the suspects were injured in the crash.
They used the darkness to escape law enforcement, according to Adams County Sheriff Doug Barger.
Friday, the Columbia Basin Investigation Team tracked the last known owner of the Yukon to a residence on Grape Drive in Moses Lake, Washington State Patrol Sgt. Kurt Adkinson said.
When police approached the resident there was no response, believing he was still in the house, they requested the aid of the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team to do a tactical entry, Adkinson said.
“While we were at the scene we had witness information that he was in the area of the Lakeshore Motel on foot,” he said. “Officers responded to that area and found him.”
The owner, Todd M. Brower, 42, Moses Lake, was arrested for a felony warrant from Wisconsin. Investigators are questioning him about the Adams County incident and the involvement of his Yukon.
Authorities continue to seek information about the two suspects involved and the investigation continues.
The deputy, who shot at the suspect, was placed on paid administrative leave. Barger explained it is a policy to place a deputy on leave when a firearm is discharged.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked contact the sheriff’s office at 509-659-1122 or Othello police at 509-488-3314.