Chewbacca with the assist

by Richard Byrd
| May 14, 2018 3:00 AM

SOAP LAKE — Well, that didn’t take long. In only their second day on the job as a team Deputy Nick Overland and K-9 Chewbacca helped take an alleged vehicle thief into custody in Soap Lake on Friday.

The owner of the stolen vehicle contacted MACC Dispatch on Friday after spotting his vehicle, which he had previously reported as stolen from Ephrata on Thursday. The reporting party following his vehicle on Road 20 Northeast, just outside of Soap Lake’s city limits, and advised the driver parked the vehicle in the 400 block of Second Avenue Southeast, according to Soap Lake Police Department Chief Ryan Cox.

The reporting party attempted to block the driver from leaving, but the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Brazen W. Penfield, allegedly struck the vehicle the victim was in as he attempted to leave. Penfield fled on foot and barricaded himself in a residence in the 400 block of Third Avenue Southeast.

“Upon arrival, the suspect was provided a warning over a PA system that K-9 deputies were on scene as Deputy Chewbacca, eager to work, barked vigorously. The suspect eventually exited the shed and was arrested without further incident. No one was hurt,” stated the sheriff's office in a news release.

Penfield was booked into the Grant County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and obstructing a police officer. Overland and Chewbacca graduated from K-9 training school on Wednesday and make up the fourth and newest K-9 team at the sheriff’s office.

"The suspect eventually made the right decision. I am very pleased with these two deputies delivering on an arrest so soon after graduating from the academy. I hope residents will join me in congratulating Deputies Nick Overland and Chewbacca, as well as the Soap Lake Police Department on a great partnered response well done," Sheriff Tom Jones said.

Cox said schools in Soap Lake, as well as McKay Healthcare, were placed into lockdowns as a precaution during the standoff.

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