SOAP LAKE, Wash. — Soap Lake Police chased down a car and its driver, who jumped out mid-pursuit and ran off Sunday morning.
Sergeant Spencer Nulph and Officer Jeff Gallaher were trying to find a black Mercedes without license plates in the Soap Lake area. They found the car and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver sped away.
The officers pursued the driver through the neighborhood, and after a few blocks, the driver jumped out of the car, leaving the passenger inside as it rolled down a hill and into a backyard.
Sergeant Nulph took the passenger into custody, and Officer Gallaher pursued the driver, who eventually got away.
This morning at 0906 am, Sergeant Spencer Nulph and Officer Jeff Gallaher were involved in a short pursuit. These two officers were attempting to locate a black Mercedes with no plates that was traveling in the area. After locating the vehicle and attempting to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. After a short distance, the driver thought it would be a great time to exit the vehicle at 10 mph, leaving the passenger in a moving vehicle with no one behind the wheel. Sergeant Nulph followed the vehicle over a hill, barely dodging trees before coming to rest shortly after. Sgt. Nulph was able to place the passenger in custody at this time.Officer Gallaher gave chase to the driver, however lost sight after a couple blocks. Ephrata Police and Grant County Sheriff's Department were called to assist. GCSO Sergeant Char and K9 Chicka deployed on a track of the driver. Track was approximately half mile long before K9 Chicka was able to locate and capture the driver under a motor home in the 400 block of Main Ave East. Irbin Martinez Santacruz, of Moses Lake, was arrested for felony eluding, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, and malicious mischief for damaging property. Santacruz was also booked on a felony narcotics possession warrant and Department of Corrections warrant. Santacruz was also captured by GCSO K9 Chewbacca within the past month.Tony Gonzales, of Soap Lake, was arrested for a felony Department of Corrections warrant and booked in jail as well.This was a great multi-agency response for investigation, containment, and capture of 2 wanted felons.#YouCanRunButYouCannotHide#AttaGirlChika#WayToLeaveYourBroHanginInAMovingCar#NotTheTimeForAKikiChallenge.
Soap Lake Police Department then called on Ephrata Police and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) to help. Sergeant Char and K9 Chicka with GCSO were able to track down the driver, who was hiding under a mobile home in the 400 block of Main Avenue.
Irbin Martinez Santacruz was arrested for felony eluding, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and malicious mischief for damaging property; he was also booked on a felony narcotics warrant from the Department of Corrections.
Tony Gonzales was arrested for a DOC felony warrant, as well.
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