Police searching for suspect in stolen property case
Arthur Smith
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man in on the run after reportedly fleeing an undercover sting operation in Moses Lake over the weekend.
Police reportedly attempted to take Arthur Smith, 36, of Moses Lake, into custody at a home in the 4500 block of Road K Northeast on Saturday. Smith allegedly ran away on foot, with police searching the area of Orchard Drive and Stratford Road for a couple of hours in an attempt to find him. The sheriff’s office advised the public, via Nixle, to be on the lookout for Smith and contact 911 to report suspicious activity, but he was able to avoid contact with authorities.
A total of $11,500 worth of stolen property from North Central Construction was reportedly recovered at the residence on Road K Northeast. In addition, a search warrant was served on Smith’s vehicle, which reportedly turned up additional stolen items.
The property belonging to North Central Construction was reportedly stolen during a burglary on April 30. A North Central Construction employee reported returning to work in the 200 block of South Lasco Lane in Moses Lake and noticing items were missing from the business’s shop. The employee said the items were taken sometime between 3:30 p.m. on April 29 and 2:30 p.m. on April 30. The employee noted the suspect cut a hole in a chain link fence and entered through the hole.
Stolen items included: torch heads valued at $500, welding gauges valued at $400, a Titan paint sprayer valued at $3,000, a Dewalt table saw valued at $600, a Cable wood router valued at $500, a Steel pin shooter valued at $1,200 and a Hilti large pin shooter valued at $3,000, according to police records.
Smith is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, 220 pounds. When Smith fled police he was reportedly wearing a camouflage hat, a gray shirt and jeans or khaki shorts. He is now wanted for first-degree possession of stolen property and first-degree trafficking stolen property.
If you know where Smith is, please call 509-762-1160 or email information to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.