Felon found in clothes dryer
A four-hour standoff at a mobile home park Thursday night ended after the suspect was found hiding inside a clothes dryer.
MOSES LAKE - A convicted felon found hiding in a clothes dryer after a four-hour standoff in Moses Lake Thursday night told police he hid because he didn't want to return to jail.
The Grant County Gang Unit went to arrest Sergio Herrera Jiron, 23, about 9 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failing to appear for a sentencing hearing for delivery of a controlled substance. According to court records, Jiron was released from jail after pleading guilty in February and did not show up for a sentencing hearing.
When police arrived to the Harvest Manor mobile home park on Airway Drive Thursday night, Jiron refused to come out and barricaded himself inside the home.
Police presumed Jiron was armed and the Tactical Response Team was brought in. TRT members reportedly noticed firearm ammunition in plain view inside the home.
After negotiations failed, multiple flash bangs and tear gas were used. Police also tore off skirting from the home and checked underneath for Jiron before deciding to enter about 1 a.m. Friday. During the search inside, a TRT member attempted to move a clothes dryer to check behind and noticed the appliance was unusually heavy. Jiron was found hiding inside the dryer and continue not to comply with police instructions, refusing to show his hands to officers. He was eventually subdued after police fired a non-lethal, soft-tipped projectile at Jiron's hand, according to the sheriff's office.
During the arrest, a handgun was found inside the home. As a felon, Jiron is not allowed to have guns.
"Our GCSO's newly-formed Gang Unit and TRT coordinated well and did a terrific job in bringing this situation to a safe conclusion," Sheriff Tom Jones said.
Jiron is currently booked in Grant County Jail and awaits another sentencing hearing March 18 for delivery of a controlled substance. He is likely facing 16 months in prison.
According to court records, Jiron sold heroine to INET detectives on several occasions in February 2013. He was arrested in a raid at the same mobile home park he was arrested at Friday.