Body recovered in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - The body of a 25-year-old Quincy man was recovered from Moses Lake Saturday about a week after reportedly running from police during an arrest and jumping into the lake.

Just before 2 p.m. Saturday, boaters found the body of Benjamin Patiño Nuñez in the middle of the lake, about 250 yards from the Alder Street crossing. The physical description of the body and clothing appeared to match that of Nuñez. The body was turned over to the Grant County Coroner's Office to confirm the identity, according to Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Sands.

Nuñez had been missing since the early morning of May 25, when Moses Lake police attempted to arrest Nuñez on suspicion of DUI on North Stratford Road. Nuñez, not yet in handcuffs, was reportedly able to flee from the officers and ran to the brush along the lake shoreline. Officers attempted to stop Nuñez as he ran along the shoreline, when Nuñez fled into the lake, swimming about 100 yards out before officers saw him struggling and go under the water near the dredge, according to police reports. Grant County Search and Rescue was called to the scene but were unable to find Nuñez.

His family reported him missing Wednesday as the Moses Lake Fire Department and police continued to search Thursday and Friday along the shore and where Nuñez was last seen when he fled from police.