Fleeing man found hiding near meth lab
MOSES LAKE - Members of the Moses Lake Tactical Response Team found more than they were looking for while tracking down an armed Moses Lake man who attempted to evade police.
Frank E. Brown, 47, was found Friday night hiding on property belonging to an acquaintance which reportedly contained a methamphetamine lab.
Brown was arrested on outstanding warrants and for felony eluding and reckless endangerment after reportedly speeding past a school bus unloading children while fleeing from law enforcement personnel, according to Grant County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Ryan Rectenwald.
The incident began at around 3:30 p.m., Rectenwald stated, when Grant County sheriff's deputies responded to a call regarding a suspicious vehicle in the McConihe Flats area northwest of Moses Lake. The caller said a mid-1990s model Chevrolet pickup was trespassing on his property, and he was concerned the vehicle's driver may have been conducting surveillance for future burglaries or property thefts.
A deputy located the pickup and attempted to pull it over, giving chase when the driver fled at a high rate of speed. The pursuit ended when the pickup drove onto private property at a dead-end on Road H.1 Northeast.
Brown reportedly got out of the pickup carrying a rifle and ran on foot toward several buildings on the property.
The pursuing deputy sought cover and called for backup. Sheriff's deputies, Washington State Patrol troopers, Moses Lake police officers and the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team responded to assist. Firefighters from Grant County Fire District 5 and American Medical Response paramedics also stood by in case medical care was needed at the scene, stated Rectenwald.
Officers surrounded the property - which held several small structures, hulk vehicles and a large shop - and were reportedly granted permission from the property owner to look for Brown.
Deputies issued a warning to area residents to stay indoors while they conducted a methodical search of the vehicles and buildings on the property, Rectenwald stated.
At around 8:30 p.m. the tactical response team found and arrested Brown. There were no reported injuries and no gunshots were fired.
The search for Brown reveled a meth lab in one of the buildings on the property, Rectenwald stated. The Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team responded to investigate and dismantle the lab after a search warrant was granted.
Detectives are considering charges associated with the meth lab, but Rectenwald said Monday they have not yet completed their investigation and there have been no associated arrests at this time.
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