Moses Lake man sentenced for vehicle theft, eluding

MOSES LAKE — One of two suspects in a New Year’s Eve vehicle theft and pursuit recently received a four-month jail sentence.

Jose Macias Jr., 18, of Moses Lake, pleaded guilty in Grant County Superior Court to theft of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude. Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz followed a joint recommendation between Deputy Prosecutor Mark Laiminger and defense attorney Clarke Tibbits and sentenced Macias to four months in jail. Macias’ co-defendant, Crystal Mabry, 28, of Moses Lake, remains charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission.

On Jan. 31, a woman contacted MACC Dispatch reporting a vehicle theft in the 100 block of Schilling Drive. The woman claimed she started her vehicle and went into her home. She said she went back outside a few minutes later and saw two people, Macias and Mabry, get into her car and take off, according to court documents.

Deputies spotted the stolen car at the intersection of Arnold Drive and Larson Boulevard a few minutes after receiving the stolen vehicle report. The driver of the car, Macias, accelerated and continued onto Randolph Road, making his way to Road 6.7 Northeast and later turning onto Road I Northeast.

Macias drove to Stone Road, where deputies had a plan to set up spike strips and stop the car. Macias stopped in the 9800 block of Stone Road and the two suspects fled the car on foot. A woman later contacted MACC Dispatch stating she witnessed the suspects run through her yard and onto another property. Macias and Mabry were located by deputies in the back of a van in the 9800 block of Stone Road.

“Mabry was obviously out of breath as she was breathing heavily. Mabry had no shoes on at the time she was taken out of the van,” wrote a deputy. “Macias had no shoes and no shirt on. It should be noted it was less than 10 degrees outside and the van had obviously not been running due to the frost all over the vehicle.”

Macias told deputies he wasn't wearing a shirt because he was going through “withdrawals” and having “hot and cold flashes.” A red hooded sweatshirt was reportedly located next to Macias in the van, which was said to have been a match to a description given to police of the sweatshirt the driver of the stolen car was wearing.

In addition, a pair of flip-flops were recovered from the stolen car, which deputies believe Macias was wearing during the pursuit. A jacket and pair of boots were also recovered near where the suspects were found, both of which are believed to belong to Mabry. Mabry told deputies she wasn’t in the stolen car and claimed the boots were not hers.

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