Moses Lake felon caught in possession of firearm

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man with several felony convictions was caught with a firearm recently after police investigated a string of vehicle break-ins.

Juan J. Garcia, 22, was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in Grant County Superior Court.

Garcia has six felony convictions and has been restricted from possessing a firearm since 2008.

It started in late June when Ephrata police were dispatched to a call about a suspicious vehicle driving up and down Columbia Road.

The reporting party told police that a white Jeep Cherokee with a loud muffler had driven around the block several times.

According to the police report, when the officer arrived at Columbia Road he noticed a Ford Ranger parked on the side of the road with its door open.

The officer also located two vehicles on Maringo Road with their doors open.

The reporting party told police that she and her husband were awaken by the sound of a loud muffler and saw the white Jeep park next to bushes in front of their residence.

According to court documents, police found the Jeep around 5 a.m. on Nat Washington Way and performed a traffic stop.

Police observed four occupants. The inside of the vehicle was reportedly covered with items.

According to the police report, the officer interviewed three of the Jeep's occupants who all gave conflicting stories about the night's events.

The fourth passenger, Garcia, reportedly didn't have any identification and would not give police his name.

Garcia was detained and the officer was able to find that he had a felony warrant.

The officer then impounded the Jeep and transported Garcia to Grant County Jail.

Later that day, Ephrata police received more complaints of car break-ins.

Also, one of the passengers in the Jeep was contacted at a traffic stop and a stolen firearm was discovered in the vehicle. Another stolen firearm was found at a C Street home.

The male reportedly told police that when the Jeep is searched police would find several stolen items, another firearm, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The next day, police were able to search the Jeep and recovered several items that were reported stolen.

The firearm belonging to Garcia was found in the back of the vehicle where Garcia was sitting during the traffic stop.