Abandoned bumper leads to arrest

DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and first-degree malicious mischief after he is alleged to have damaged the front entrance of a Desert Aire business with his car.

Antonio Altamirano, 31, allegedly drove his car into the entrance of the R Place Tavern, 610 Main St. South in Desert Aire, the evening of Jan. 17. Kyle Foreman, public information officer with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said Altamirano allegedly damaged his car in the process and made it easier for GCSO deputies to find him.

“He left his bumper behind with the license plate attached,” Foreman said.

Altamirano allegedly had been involved in a dispute in the bar before he hit the building.

“He apparently was intoxicated (and) made threatening statements to the bar staff and people at the bar,” Foreman said. Altamirano allegedly then went outside, got in his car and ran it into the building.

No one was injured, Foreman said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at education@columbiabasinherald.com.