Alert off-duty sheriff's deputy uncovers burglary evidence

MOSES LAKE – Several recent Moses Lake area burglaries seem to be solved after an alert Grant County Sheriff's deputy spotted stolen property while shopping.

On Saturday, April 7, the off-duty deputy was shopping at Bargain Town thrift store in Moses Lake when he saw a man selling items to the store staff. He recognized the items as matching the descriptions of property stolen in several recent burglaries just outside the Moses Lake city limits.

On Wednesday morning, Apr. 11, sheriff’s deputies brought several of the burglary victims to Bargain Town, where they identified more than a few items of stolen property. Bargain Town staff was completely cooperative and helpful, Sheriff Tom Jones said, and maintained records of purchases which included the identity of the seller, Benjamin Hilton, age 18.

Deputies then served a search warrant at Hilton’s home in the 4300 block of County Road K.2 NE. Inside, deputies found more suspected stolen property, including computers, electronics, firearms and gas powered lawn tools. They also discovered a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Hilton was arrested during a traffic stop near Moses Lake. He is lodged in the Grant County Jail on suspicion of trafficking stolen property. More charges are likely as the investigation continues, according to the sheriff's office.