Homeowner in shooting faces charges
MOSES LAKE - The homeowner, who fatally shot a suspected burglar Sunday night was reportedly in possession of two illegal firearms and two pounds of marijuana.
Timothy P. Mandelas, 44, reportedly shot Joshua Montano, 30, Moses Lake, during what appears to have been an attempted burglary in Mandelas' residence north of Moses Lake, according to Grant County Undersheriff Dave Ponozzo.
Montano died Monday at a Spokane hospital from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.
Investigators are still looking for Montano's alleged accomplices in the burglary, who fled the scene after he was shot, Ponozzo said. They are described as two Hispanic males in their late 20's or early 30's, one of whom has a mustache and goatee.
Mandelas was booked into the Grant County Jail Monday on suspicion of being a convicted felon possessing a firearm.
He reportedly told investigators he borrowed the .45 caliber pistol used in the shooting from a friend.
He has since been charged with unlawful possession of two firearms - the .45 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber pistol - as well as possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, according to Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Angus Lee.
Bail was set Tuesday at $50,000, Lee stated.
Although Mandelas reportedly has a medical marijuana card. He allegedly possessed more than the legal limit of the drug and police claim he admitted to selling it to other people.
The two pounds of marijuana Mandelas reportedly possessed has a street value of about $5,000, according to Ponozzo.
Mandelas criminal history includes arrests for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and fourth degree assault-domestic violence.
In 1986 he was convicted of felony theft in the second degree in Kittitas County and forgery in Spokane County, according to court records.
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