Off-duty Othello officer spots stolen car in ML

MOSES LAKE — A police officer’s vigilance led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Moses Lake on Wednesday.

About 1 p.m. an off-duty Othello Police Department officer was reportedly headed to a gym in Moses Lake when he spotted a vehicle he knew had previously been stolen out of Othello. The OPD officer contacted the Moses Lake Police Department and MLPD officers found the vehicle on North Stratford Road.

“Since there had been a firearm in the vehicle when it was stolen, officers took all four occupants in the vehicle into custody in the safest manner possible,” Capt. Mike Williams explained.

The driver of the stolen vehicle, Daniel Simpson, 30, was found to have an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant out for his arrest for a probation violation. Williams said Simpson’s arrest on Wednesday was the sixth time MLPD officers have arrested him on a DOC warrant over the last year.

Officers reportedly found heroin on Simpson and he was booked into the Grant County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of heroin and the DOC warrant. Williams said a search warrant will be served on the vehicle and more charges are possible.

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