Firefighters detain metal thieves
MOSES LAKE - Grant County Fire District 5 firefighters caught and tried to hold two subjects who were reportedly stealing metal from their training facility.
At about 5:45 p.m. on Friday members of the fire district detained two subjects seen taking metal from a fenced area surrounding the facility on Road 2 Northeast, according to Grant County Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo.
James P. Pierce, 47, Moses Lake, and a 15-year-old Moses Lake male were held without restraints as law enforcement was called, Ponozzo said.
The suspects appeared to be cooperative. While waiting for police, Pierce reportedly asked if he could turn his vehicle off. He allegedly jumped in a 2002 Toyota pickup and fled the scene.
He was initially chased north by fire district personnel using a fire district vehicle. Ponozzo said a sheriff's deputy joined the chase as it came onto Wheeler Road, but was stopped by a flat tire after striking a piece of debris that fell out of the suspect vehicle.
Pierce reportedly abandoned his vehicle at Road N and Road 4 Northeast and fled on foot, Ponozzo said. He is still at large.
The stolen metal was recovered.
The juvenile male was booked for burglary in the second degree, trespassing in the second degree and theft in the third degree.
Ponozzo said he anticipates Pierce will be arrested for similar charges as well as reckless driving, failure to yield to emergency vehicles and driving while license suspended.
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