Soap Lake man arrested in high speed chase

EPHRATA - A traffic stop for a stolen vehicle turned into a 45-minute high speed chase through Ephrata and Soap Lake Sunday night, resulting in the arrest of a Soap Lake man who is now facing charges.

About 10 p.m. Sunday, Ephrata police attempted to stop a 1997 Honda sedan that was previously reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle, Trinidad Rodriguez, 41, allegedly attempted to elude police and fled through Ephrata and headed toward Soap Lake before returning to Ephrata, according to City Administrator Wes Crago.

During the pursuit, Rodriguez allegedly attempted to ram the pursuing officer's vehicle. State Patrol officers, assisting in the incident, also deployed spike strips in the Ephrata area but Rodriguez was able to avoid them. During the pursuit, two additional suspect attempted to disrupt law enforcement by throwing debris in the path of oncoming police vehicles, according to Crago.

Rodriguez eventually lost control of the stolen vehicle in the 200 block of Alder Street Northwest near Second Avenue Northwest, where he then attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by Grant County deputies.

Rodriguez was booked into Grant County Jail and is facing charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, second-degree attempted assault, third-degree driving while license suspended and a DOC arrest warrant.

Officers are continuing to investigate the incident, including the two suspects who allegedly aided Rodriguez. The names of the two suspects have not been released at this time.

"This suspect, attempting to use a stolen car as a weapon and fleeing, represented a huge danger to our community," Police Chief Mike Warren said. "I am very pleased that, through the aid of fellow officers from the state and county, were able to arrest Mr. Rodriguez with no injuries to himself, or our fellow citizens and officers."