ML man charged for threatening high schooler, vehicle prowling

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was charged after he reportedly threatened to stab a high school student when he was spotted rummaging through the student’s vehicle.

Grant County prosecutors charged Armando Rubio Jr., 30, of Moses Lake, in Grant County Superior Court with possession of methamphetamine, harassment and second-degree vehicle prowling.

In the early morning hours of Oct. 29 the Moses Lake Police Department received a report of a vehicle prowl at a park-and-ride at Interstate 90 and Highway 17. A group of Moses Lake High School students reportedly arrived at the park-and-ride after returning from Silverwood Theme Park and spotted Rubio digging around in the trunk of one of their cars, according to court documents.

Rubio was confronted by the teens, but he allegedly told one of them he would stab him if he didn’t leave him alone. Rubio rode off on a BMX bike after making the threat and left the area. Officers were given a description of the suspect and realized the description fit Rubio, as an officer had taken a previous call at the park-and-ride and contacted Rubio in the area.

Rubio’s bicycle and belongings were located behind Experience Powersports on North Frontage Road about 3:45 a.m. Deputy Ric Char and K-9 Chicka were asked to assist in the search for Rubio. The suspect was tracked and spotted walking across a field. Rubio surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody.

“Rubio admitted he was breaking into vehicles. Rubio said he didn’t take anything and admitted to telling (the victim) he was going to stab him. He said he told (the victim) he was going to stab him. He said he told (the victim) that because he was scared and didn’t want (him) to follow him,” wrote an officer.

Officers searched the field where Rubio was spotted and located a knife, along with another knife in his ditched property behind Experience Powersports. Rubio admitted both of the knives were his. In addition, police found a first aid box in Rubio’s belongings, which reportedly contained a piece of tin foil with half a gram of meth.

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