News Bites for June 19, 2023

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake Police Department officers arrested Kyle L. Knemeyer, 33, of Spokane and Mandilynn A. Law, 25, of Clarkston on June 9 after they allegedly stole a pistol out of a vehicle parked at the WinCo Foots at 960 N Stratford Road in Moses Lake, according to an MLPD statement.

“The suspects were caught on video taking the firearm out of the car early Thursday morning. Between MLPD officers and deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to identify the suspects,” the MLPD statement said.

Shortly after midnight Friday morning, according to an MLPD bodycam image, an MLPD sergeant came across the suspect. The suspects said they did not have the firearm any longer, claiming to have been robbed. Drugs and cash were found in their possession though.

The pair has been booked into the Grant County Jail for theft of a firearm and vehicle prowling. Law enforcement is still seeking information on the location of the gun. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the MLPD’s non-emergency number.

Justin Erdmann, 28, of Moses Lake was arrested Thursday and charged in association with the alleged distribution of child pornography, according to an MLPD statement.

The arrest was the result of a three-month investigation by MLPD detectives and Erdmann was taken into custody during a preplanned traffic stop when he left work Thursday morning.

Once he was in custody, detectives served a warrant on his home and seized 19 electronic devices that are being analyzed. Officers have already located enough evidence to support charges against Erdmann.

“If you have received child porn from Erdmann, drop by and we’ll talk about it. If not, don’t worry, we will come to you, and sooner rather than later,” the statement read.

Erdmann has been booked into the Grant County Jail on four counts of possession of explicit images of children and two counts of distribution of explicit images of children. Investigators expect to add charges as the devices are analyzed and the case is reviewed. Federal charges are possible.

Jorge I. Barcenas Lozano, 19, was arrested on June 10 after allegedly pulling a gun and pointing it at a family that was playing basketball near Peninsula Elementary in Moses Lake.

Law enforcement responded to the incident and Barcenas Lozano fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly in the process, according to an MLPD statement. Detectives eventually found the suspect on June 10 at about 4:15 p.m. at the spillways. He has been booked on Assault Second Degree and Felony Eluding.

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake Police Department reminded area residents to look to official sources of news during an emergency such as a wildfire. These sources include law neforcement, fire department personnel, Grant County Emergency Management and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.