Man arrested after alleged sword threats, assault on officer; K-9 assists in capture
A Moses Lake man allegedly threatened another subject in Lauzier Park with a sword Sunday. Jose Alcala, 34, of Moses Lake was taken into custody with the assistance of K-9 Rex and booked into the Grant County Jail.
MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man accused of threatening another person with a sword and later assaulting a police officer was arrested after a confrontation with law enforcement in which a police K-9 was deployed, authorities said.
Jose Acala, 34, of Moses Lake, was taken into custody Sunday evening following an incident that began at Lauzier Park on Central Drive, according to the Moses Lake Police Department.
Police were dispatched to the park after receiving reports that Acala was threatening another man with a sword. MLPD Capt. Mike Williams said Acala allegedly ran toward the victim while making threats involving the weapon and threatening to kill him.
Before officers arrived, Acala left the area in a vehicle and allegedly performed donuts in the parking lot near the ballfields before fleeing, police said.
Officers located Acala a short time later on Bruce Street, where he allegedly resisted arrest and fought with officers attempting to take him into custody.
“K-9 Rex was released from the back of the vehicle and assisted in taking him into custody,” Williams said in an interview Tuesday.
Williams said no members of the public were injured during the incident. Acala sustained injuries from the police dog's bite and was transported to Samaritan Hospital for treatment before being booked into the Grant County Jail.
Williams praised the officers involved in the arrest and the department's K-9 team.
“I think it was handled professionally, and the officers did a great job getting him into custody in a very short period of time,” Williams said. “As always, K-9 Rex and his helping paw is very much appreciated.”
K-9 Rex's handler is Officer Brad Zook, Williams said.
As of Tuesday morning, jail records showed Acala remained in custody at the Grant County Jail without a listed bail amount. The charges listed against him include first-degree assault, third-degree assault, resisting arrest and two counts of felony harassment for threats to kill.
The investigation remains ongoing.