Woman pleads guilty to threatening patrons at business with knife

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake woman was sentenced Tuesday for threatening customers at a Moses Lake business with a knife during an incident in Moses Lake in August.  

Laura Newhouse, 25, pleaded guilty to harassment-threat to kill with a deadly weapon enhancement and third-degree malicious mischief Oct. 8. 

Grant County Superior Court Judge Tyson R. Hill sentenced Newhouse to seven months in custody for the harassment-threat plus a concurrent 364 days in custody for the malicious mischief charge with 154 days suspended.  

The incident began around 7:21 p.m. Aug. 20 when dispatch informed officers about a female suspect brandishing a knife inside a business in the 600 block of North Stratford Road, according to the statement from the Moses Lake Police Department. 

Upon arrival, law enforcement learned that the suspect, later identified as Newhouse, had fled in a white Dodge Neon, prompting a traffic stop conducted by authorities shortly thereafter. Officers observed the vehicle pulling out of the parking lot as they arrived. 

During the traffic stop, Newhouse exited the passenger side of the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident. The vehicle's driver was momentarily detained but later released. 

During the subsequent investigation witnesses described the suspect as "crazy" and one claimed to have been the target of aggressive behavior. The witness said Newhouse had followed him into the store, where she threw an object at him and threatened to kill him while wielding a knife. Witnesses reported that Newhouse had been visibly agitated and unleashed a barrage of verbal threats. 

A second bystander said Newhouse allegedly chased the victim around the store. A third witness, a store employee, confirmed having seen Newhouse repeatedly returning to the store in her agitated state. 

Officers interviewed Newhouse while she was seated in the back of a patrol vehicle. During the questioning, she claimed that she had been provoked by the victim's earlier communications with her. Newhouse stated that she believed she had been set up, alleging that the victim had reached out to her with the intention of embarrassing her. 

While being questioned Newhouse admitted to having a knife in her possession but said that she had not brandished it toward the victim. Newhouse said she was not aware of the escalating situation and claimed she had blacked out during the confrontation. 

Officers located a small folding knife in Newhouse’s backpack after a search subsequent to her arrest. Surveillance footage from inside the store later showed Newhouse engaging in violent behavior toward the victim, which included throwing objects and chasing him while holding a knife. 

The officer said that the incident appeared to have an impact on the victim, who described feeling genuinely threatened for his safety.  

Newhouse was subsequently booked into the Grant County Jail on multiple charges, including first-degree assault, threats to kill and third-degree malicious mischief. The charge was later amended to harassment.