Suspect crashes after short chase

MOSES LAKE - A short car chase in Moses Lake Saturday led to a three-vehicle collision when a man tried to escape police after allegedly stealing alcohol from Safeway.

Burnette A. Saloy, 54, from Moses Lake, was arrested and booked on suspicion of third-degree theft, felony eluding, two counts of hit-and-run injury, third-degree driving while license suspended and vehicular assault.

Officers were dispatched about 5:30 p.m. Saturday to investigate alcohol being stolen from Safeway, according to Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Sands. The suspect left the area before officers arrived.

Officers located a vehicle matching the description given by witnesses a short distance from Safeway and attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of Fifth Avenue and Pioneer Avenue, according to reports. Saloy then allegedly began to drive recklessly.

Officers stopped chasing Saloy near East Broadway Avenue. He continued driving and allegedly ran a red light traveling west on Broadway Avenue, striking two vehicles in the Broadway and Alder Street intersection. Saloy allegedly left his vehicle and ran on foot. He was caught near the collision.

According to reports, two other vehicles were damaged and four people were injured. They were transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake where they were treated and released.