Chase of a suspicious man leads to meth lab

MOSES LAKE - Authorities attempting to apprehend a suspicious person caught their man Friday night and also uncovered a methamphetamine lab.

Frank E. Brown, 47, of Moses Lake was booked into the Grant County Jail on a variety of charges, Grant County Sheriff Chief Deputy Ryan Rectenwald said.

The search for Brown began at 3:30 p.m. when a property owner in the McConihe Flats area northwest of Moses Lake reported a suspicious person in a vehicle trespassing on his property. The property owner thought the intruder might be casing the area.

According to Rectenwald, a deputy spotted the vehicle and attempted to make a stop. The driver bolted and cause a chase and search that ended with Brown's arrest at 8:30 p.m.

Rectenwald said the deputy cornered Brown at a dead end near the 9500 block of Road 1 NE. Carrying a rifle, Rectenwald said, Brown left his 1990s pickup and ran on foot toward several buildings and vehicle hulks.

The deputy, Rectenwald said, sought cover and called for assistance. It came from several agencies, including the Washington State Patrol. Emergency medical personnel stood by.

Brown was found hiding in an old travel trailer and was arrested without incident. During the search, authorities uncovered the meth lab in one of the buildings.

Rectenwald did not say if the property owner was arrested or is being investigated. He said Brown was acquainted with him but did not live on the property.