K-9 Chief notches first arrest in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake’s newest K-9 officer came up big last week and notched his first arrest, with the help of his handler, on his first day on patrol on Friday.

The arrest comes after detectives with the Moses Lake Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit were searching for 26-year-old Reynaldo Arrellano Lozano in connection with an investigation. Because of Arrellano making threats toward police in the past, K-9 Chief and his handler, officer Nick Stewart, aided in the stakeout, according to MLPD Capt. Mike Williams.

Arrellano was pulled over during a traffic stop about 7:30 p.m. Friday night. He was initially uncooperative with officers and did not want to exit his vehicle, but he reportedly started listening and left the vehicle after he was told Chief was at the scene.

“A loaded Beretta pistol belonging to Arellano was recovered during a subsequent search warrant,” Williams said.

Arrellano was arrested for being an alien in possession of a firearm and was later turned over to officials with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

— Staff report