EPHRATA - Law enforcement searched a home recycling center near Soap Lake Thursday to find stolen property.

Members of the Grant and Adams counties sheriffs' offices began combing a 30-acre parcel of land on Road 19.3 Northeast, about three miles from Soap Lake, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones stated. The land is home to Boneyard Recycling.

"The big item found was a large utility style truck that was reported stolen out of the Othello area," said Chief Deputy Ryan Rectenwald. "The second item is a tow-behind trailer, filled with (aviation) gas, that was stolen from a local farmer in the Royal City area."

The search warrant stems from a combined investigation between the two sheriffs' offices. The investigation began in Adams County, whose sheriff sought assistance from the Grant County Sheriff's Office and (Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team), regarding the property as "being involved in possible criminal activity."

"Detectives detained and interviewed seven (people) who were found either living at or roaming about the 30-acre property, which includes one house, several ad-hoc dwellings, a pig farm, and many acres of scrap metal, illegally stored fuels and hulk vehicles," Jones stated. "The full scale of the stolen property won't be known until the on-site operations finish."

Two flatbed trailers, a plastic tank with roughly 20 gallons of aviation fuel, and numerous other items including a few pump motors were found in the early portion of the search.

One person was arrested. Rodney H. Wilson, 44, Soap Lake, was booked into the Grant County Jail for four counts of possession of stolen property in the first degree. Wilson is a resident of the property.

Investigators summoned help from the Grant County Building Department, Grant County Fire Marshal's Office, Grant County Health District, state Department of Ecology and state Department of Labor and Industries to review the property and determine any needed actions, Jones added.

"This bust was made possible because of the cooperation between Grant and Adams counties as we work together to fight property thefts," Jones stated. "Because of these partnerships, Grant County is one step closer to being a safer place to live, work and raise a family."   

People with information about criminal activities are asked to call the sheriff's office at 509-754-2011 ext. 468 or send an email to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us. Tipsters can remain anonymous, Jones stated.