Pursuit suspect accused of breaking into home

EPHRATA - The Moses Lake man charged in Thursday's high speed pursuit allegedly broke into a man's home and stole several hundred dollars in cash before stealing his Corvette.

Gary Hutt, 41, is currently being held on $100,000 bail and is charged with second-degree burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, first-degree malicious mischief and attempting to elude, stemming from Thursday's incident.

According to police reports, Hutt allegedly broke into a home on Gary Drive Thursday morning and stole more than $600, a camera and motorcycle helmet before grabbing the keys to a 2003 Chevrolet Corvette parked at the residence.

Hutt reportedly made a stop at Walmart to buy a phone card after allegedly stealing the car, which was later spotted by police near North Grape Drive. Hutt reportedly continued through residential neighborhoods before taking off at a high rate of speed north on state Route 17. The owner of the Corvette, who had returned home after finding his car gone, reportedly saw the Corvette speeding down SR 17 followed by police vehicles.

Hutt turned off SR 17 and continued on several county roads, nearly hitting Sheriff Tom Jones' vehicle head on and endangering at least 20 construction workers on Northlake Road, according to court records.

Hutt reportedly continued back across SR 17 into the Upper Basin Homes area where he drove through a fence and finally fled on foot and allegedly attempted to break into a residence. He was later found covered by a tarp underneath a porch and was taken into custody.

Police found several items stolen from the Gary Drive home in the Corvette as well as several other items that did not belong to the owner of the car.

Hutt reportedly has 19 previous felony convictions that include eluding, burglary and theft. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.