Royal City man charged for possessing stolen car

ROYAL CITY — A Royal City was charged in connection with an incident in which he attempted to hide from a police officer in a crawl space and was found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle and burglary tools.

Grant County prosecutors charged Omar Lopez Arellano, 38, of Royal City, with possession of a stolen vehicle, first-degree criminal trespassing and making and/or having burglary tools.

On Nov. 30 Royal City Police Department Chief Darin Smith was on patrol and reportedly spotted a 1990s model Jeep Cherokee traveling west on Road 13 Southwest. The Jeep, which was found to have been previously reported as stolen, pulled into a residence in the 5200 block of Road 13 and the chief recognized the Jeep did not belong at the residence, according to police records.

As Smith pulled into the driveway, he reportedly spotted Lopez Arellano 10-15 feet behind the Jeep. Lopez Arellano reportedly crossed a sidewalk and started walking toward the back door of the residence. Lopez Arellano attempted to walk away from Smith, eventually taking off on foot and running out of sight.

Smith was unable to immediately locate Lopez Arellano and requested the Grant County Sheriff’s Office send a K-9 unit to the location. Other units arrived at the scene and searched for the suspect.

“I could see fresh shoe prints in the grass and followed them around the residence. When I got to the far northwest corner I stopped and waited at that location for the K-9,” wrote Smith. “As I stood there I heard a noise behind me. About halfway down the west side of the residence is the access to the crawl space that is below ground level. As I approached I saw Lopez Arellano curled up in the crawl space.”

Lopez Arellano exited the crawl space and was taken into custody. Police reportedly found a large screwdriver in a pocket on his coveralls and a large crowbar in-between the center console and front seat of the Jeep.

“Lopez Arellano stated he was just there looking for work. I explained to Lopez Arellano that guys looking for work don’t run and hide in crawl spaces,” Smith wrote.

Deputy Dave Le La Rosa and K-9 deputy Chicka checked the area, but were not able to locate a track or scent of a possible second suspect, according to police records.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.