Ephrata man threatens to electrocute wife

EPHRATA — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man allegedly attempting to electrocute his wife in a bathtub Saturday night.

The woman’s 16-year-old son called 9-1-1 for help. The 30-year-old suspect fled the residence on Road B Northwest near Ephrata before law enforcement arrived.

The boy told authorities his stepfather came into the house asking where he could find an extension cord, according to a sheriff’s office report.

The woman told deputies the suspect came into her bathroom with a severed extension cord. The suspect reportedly wrapped the cord around a curling iron and plugged it into an electrical outlet, the sheriff’s office reported.

The woman told authorities the suspect dangled the cord and curling iron over the bathtub and asked her “if this is what she wanted him to do.”

The suspect fled the residence when the boy called 9-1-1.

The woman reported the suspect was drinking prior to her coming home and fled with a 40 ounce bottle of beer.

The woman declined to assist the deputies and said she did not want her husband arrested.

“It was not perceived as a real threat,” said Undersheriff John Turley. “She did not want to cooperate.”

The suspect returned to the home the following day and the woman called law enforcement. She reported the suspect had a large knife tucked into his pants. He left the residence again.

Police encouraged the woman to get a protection order against the suspect. She advised she would do so.