Officers pursue, catch man who escaped DOC custody

By EMRY DINMAN

Staff Writer

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake man who fled from Department of Corrections custody in mid-June - sparking an unsuccessful manhunt - was arrested Sunday after stealing a car and leading officers on a pursuit, according to police officials.

Police were alerted that Frank Lopez, 36, was in the Walmart parking lot on Sunday, and officers were given a description of the vehicle. Upon arrival, law enforcement recognized the described vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, at which point the vehicle pulled over into the parking lot of Ulta Beauty, according to interim MLPD Chief Dave Sands.

Though the driver and front passenger exited the vehicle, Lopez reportedly remained in the backseat of the vehicle. According to the driver, Lopez threatened to stab them if they didn’t keep driving and attempt to elude officers. When the driver and front passenger exited the vehicle, Lopez allegedly scrambled up to the front seat and drove away.

Officers pursued Lopez as he drove up state Route 17, Sands said. An officer with the Soap Lake Police Department reportedly offered to help Moses Lake officers stop the vehicle, but Lopez pulled over before the maneuver could be initiated.

Lopez originally escaped from parole June 13, and had been under Department of Corrections custody in community supervision related to manufacturing, delivering and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to a DOC official.

He is now facing charges of attempt to elude, first-degree robbery, third-degree driving while license suspended, as well as outstanding warrants from outside Grant County.

Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.