Vehicle theft report leads to arrests for stolen property in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Three people were arrested on Wednesday after a stolen vehicle report lead police to recover several items, including handguns, that had been stolen during a series of vehicle prowls in Moses Lake.

About 9 a.m. a victim of a vehicle theft reported locating his vehicle, a 2001 Dodge pickup truck, and advised he was following it in the area of South Clover Drive. Moses Lake police spotted the vehicle as it turned into the Safeway parking lot on South Pioneer Way.

Located in the truck was the driver, Troy Hughes, 38, of Moses Lake, and Kyle Ziegelman, 26, of Moses Lake. Hughes claimed the vehicle was not his and it was loaned to him by Tomie Gonzalez, 20, of Moses Lake.

Police found a blank check on Ziegelman and learned he was at Safeway to pick up a money order. MLPD Capt. Dave Sands said the check and a credit card that was used to make the money order had been stolen out of a vehicle in the Dune Lakes area. Ziegelman gave police several different stories, but eventually recanted everything he told officers, according to police records.

“Moses Lake PD officers, following up on the stories provided by Hughes and Ziegelman, made contact with a number of subjects in a room at Motel 6,” Sands said. “Search warrants were obtained for the room. Officers located two stolen handguns and other stolen items taken in vehicle prowls that occurred during the previous 24 hours in and around Moses Lake.”

Jail booking records indicate Hughes was booked for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and Ziegelman was booked for second-degree possession of stolen property and second-degree attempted theft. Gonzalez was booked for possession of a stolen firearm, theft of a firearm and second-degree possession of stolen property.

Sands said a charge of possession of stolen property is expected to be filed against another person who was in the motel room.

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