Woman allegedly abducted, forced to enter bank and demand money

Suspects reportedly taped device initially beleived to be a bomb to victim

By RICHARD BYRD

Staff Writer

MOSES LAKE - Police are searching for two suspects who allegedly abducted a woman in Moses Lake and forced her to enter a Moses Lake bank and rob it Friday night.

About 4:35 p.m. a 39-year-old woman reportedly entered the Moses Lake Horizon Credit Union, 1704 South Clover Drive, and was “visibly distraught,” according to Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Dave Sands. The woman got the attention of employees at the bank and reportedly claimed two men had abducted her from in front of her residence in the Garden Heights neighborhood.

“The suspects taped a possible explosive device to her demanding she go into the bank and rob it. The police were immediately notified and the employees were able to leave the building,” Sands said.

MLPD officers and deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and surrounded the building. The woman was contacted by negotiators and the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team, the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad and FBI agents responded to the scene. Police were able to free the woman from the alleged explosive device and she exited the bank.

“The bomb squad confirmed there were no explosives,” Sands stated.

Evidence was reportedly recovered at the scene that will be analyzed and processed. The victim’s vehicle will also be processed for evidence. There were no reported injuries. The suspects are described a dark skinned African American man in his 30s with a moustache and a Hispanic male between 14 and 16 with a “slight” accent.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160 or the MLPD at 509-764-3887.

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