Sand Scorpions help at the dunes

MOSES LAKE - When Lyle Labes saw a white 2007 Chevrolet truck

and patrol cars speeding past his home and into the sand dunes, he

said he knew what to do.

He dropped what he was doing, got into his Jeep at around 8:30

a.m. on Sept. 21 and followed the chase.

MOSES LAKE - When Lyle Labes saw a white 2007 Chevrolet truck and patrol cars speeding past his home and into the sand dunes, he said he knew what to do.

He dropped what he was doing, got into his Jeep at around 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 21 and followed the chase.

Moses Lake police responded to a call placed to the Multi-Agency Communications Center's (MACC) about a stolen vehicle call, according to Moses Lake police Capt. David Ruffin.

"The person called in and said they saw their stolen license plate on a truck," said Ruffin.

Patrick Pearson, 32, and Danielle Ford, 28 were allegedly in the stolen car.

Two patrol cars chased the vehicle on state Route 17 before Pearson made a dash toward the sand dunes.

"We were going about 70 miles per hour, the speed limit by my house is 40 miles per hour," said Labes, 54, of Moses Lake.

After being in the sand dunes area for the past 43 years, Labes said he knows the area well. The area is more than 5,000 acres in size, with many locations looking quite similar to the untrained eye.

"People get turned around here a lot. When you are unfamiliar with the many hills and holes, you can get lost very quickly," said Labes. "I live in the area and there have been times were I've been looking for friends who get lost in the dunes for three hours or so."

As the suspect drove further into the sand dunes, Labes knew law enforcement cars would soon get stuck in the sand.

"I took officers in my Jeep and then told the others how to surround the area," remembered Labes.

Soon the suspects' white pickup truck got stuck in the sand and the two got out and ran.

Law enforcement were reportedly able to catch Ford but Pearson was still on the loose.

With officers positioned at the perimeter of the sand dunes, Labes said, he knew the area was locked in.

The suspect couldn't get away.

Labes said he had a feeling Pearson would be hiding in the sagebrush.

"So I drove around the area to scare him and get him out of the sagebrush," he said.

Pearson emerged from the brush and law enforcement were able to arrest him.

Pearson was taken to the Grant County Jail and booked for possession of a stolen vehicle, felony alluding and two felony warrants.

Ford was taken to jail and booked for possession of a motor vehicle without the owners' permission and two out of county misdemeanor warrants.

The pursuit lasted for about an hour, according to Labes.

"I was glad the officers finally got him. It was the best thing that could come out of it. There's been a lot of times we've been on chases, that the suspects get away and the cops can't find them," he said.

Labes is one of three cofounders of the Sand Scorpions, a volunteer-based off-road patrolling group. The Sand Scorpions was established in 1990.

The group was created to foster a family oriented off-road environment, said Labes.

"We want to have the whole family racing - grandma and grandpa included," he said.

The group is interested in more than providing family entertainment. They are invested in making sure their area stays safe and crime-free.

Since the Washington State Legislature cut off funding to Non-highway and Off-road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) in 2009, sand dunes maintenance lost $200,000 in funding for 2010 and 2011 fiscal years. That money typical goes toward security, clean-up and operation costs, according to the Sand Scorpion Web site.

The budget was redirected to Washington State Parks funding instead.

"Since our funding was lost, there has been a huge spike in vandalism and crimes around the area," said Labes.

There have been times when he was personally affected by the theft.

"Sometimes you just get stuck in the mud and have to leave your car there for a day or two. I have had many friends who had to do that and their car tires (were) stolen or interior was completely damaged," said Labes.

There was a time when vandalism increased, according to Undersheriff John Turley.

"A few years ago, there were issues of malicious damage, toilets and walls getting vandalized," he said.

Before the budget cuts, the sheriff's office would provide services to the sand dunes.

Sheriff's office law enforcement say they appreciate what the Sand Scorpions are doing.

"You can't get patrol cars out there, they get stuck immediately," said Turley. "(Sand Scorpions) are not required to help us. They just do it because they already have equipment needed for that type of driving condition. They are really doing a great public service."

The Sand Scorpions have a lot of help.

"There are about 640 families involved in the Sand Scorpions. They are mainly from Moses Lake, but there are some from Oregon, Idaho and California as well," said Labes. "Our group helps officers on many occasions with search and rescue operations."

The group gives law enforcement extra security during heavily populated weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, said Turley.

The group is planning to organize all-night security services for the sand dune area.

"We would like to catch the people who are stealing stuff," said Labes.