Man arrested in connection with job site theft

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars worth of job site equipment.

On Tuesday, the Moses Lake Police Department received a report of a theft of thousands of dollars worth of equipment in the 300 block of East Ninth Avenue. Police gathered evidence that indicated Esteban Garza, 31, of Moses Lake, was involved in the theft, according to Capt. Mike Williams.

Police went to Garza’s residence in the 1100 block of East Hill Avenue in Moses Lake and reportedly found his pickup truck at the location. Several people in the residence were reportedly uncooperative, but they allegedly “accidentally” opened the garage door while police were at the scene.

The occupants tried to quickly close the door, but officers were able to spot some of the stolen items inside the garage and a warrant was obtained to recover the stolen property from the house. Officers served the warrant and some of the stolen items, along with drug paraphernalia and “trace” amounts of heroin, were recovered during the search. Garza was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of second-degree possession of stolen property.

A second suspect, identified as Miranda Weger, 28, of Moses Lake, was found in the residence and booked into jail for five outstanding warrants she had out for her arrest.

Williams said the renter of the residence, whose identity was not released, is going to be charged with maintaining a drug house. Additional charges are expected as police continue to investigate.

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