K-9 Chewbacca helps nab suspect

LAKEVIEW — The mere presence of K-9 deputy Chewbacca was enough for a wanted man to give up and surrender to pursuing deputies on Monday.

Deputies, while assisting detectives with Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET), staked out a residence in the 300 block of Ephrata Avenue Northwest, in the Lakeview community near Soap Lake, after learning a wanted subject was inside, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The wanted male, 29-year-old Ruben Sabedra, was wanted for a felony warrant he had out for his arrest for escape of community for assaulting a law enforcement officer.

Sabedra left the home in a vehicle and deputies attempted to pull him over near Road 19 Northeast and state Route 17. Sabedra refused to pull over for about 200 yards and ended up turned onto a side road. He reportedly stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Deputy Nick Overland warned Sabedra if he didn’t stop and comply he would release K-9 Chewbacca. The sheriff’s office says Sabedra “immediately stopped, turned around, and said he didn’t want to get bit.” Sabedra then went to his knees and was taken into custody without further incident.