Felon found in clothes dryer
Herald Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 1 month AGO
MOSES LAKE - A convicted felon found hiding in a clothes dryer after a four-hour standoff in Moses Lake Thursday night told police he hid because he didn't want to return to jail.
The Grant County Gang Unit went to arrest Sergio Herrera Jiron, 23, about 9 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failing to appear for a sentencing hearing for delivery of a controlled substance. According to court records, Jiron was released from jail after pleading guilty in February and did not show up for a sentencing hearing.
When police arrived to the Harvest Manor mobile home park on Airway Drive Thursday night, Jiron refused to come out and barricaded himself inside the home.
Police presumed Jiron was armed and the Tactical Response Team was brought in. TRT members reportedly noticed firearm ammunition in plain view inside the home.
After negotiations failed, multiple flash bangs and tear gas were used. Police also tore off skirting from the home and checked underneath for Jiron before deciding to enter about 1 a.m. Friday. During the search inside, a TRT member attempted to move a clothes dryer to check behind and noticed the appliance was unusually heavy. Jiron was found hiding inside the dryer and continue not to comply with police instructions, refusing to show his hands to officers. He was eventually subdued after police fired a non-lethal, soft-tipped projectile at Jiron's hand, according to the sheriff's office.
During the arrest, a handgun was found inside the home. As a felon, Jiron is not allowed to have guns.
"Our GCSO's newly-formed Gang Unit and TRT coordinated well and did a terrific job in bringing this situation to a safe conclusion," Sheriff Tom Jones said.
Jiron is currently booked in Grant County Jail and awaits another sentencing hearing March 18 for delivery of a controlled substance. He is likely facing 16 months in prison.
According to court records, Jiron sold heroine to INET detectives on several occasions in February 2013. He was arrested in a raid at the same mobile home park he was arrested at Friday.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES

Moses Lake gang member sentenced after police chase
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 10 years, 9 months ago
ARTICLES BY HERALD STAFF WRITER

Staatses plead not guilty
EPHRATA - The Moses Lake couple, accused of refusing to take their child to a hospital as the boy was starving, pleaded not guilty Tuesday.

Central Wash. Home Expo this weekend
MOSES LAKE - Basin residents wanting to build a new home, or renovate an existing one, can turn to next weekend's Central Washington Home Expo for inspiration.

Nurse practitioner program begins in Othello
Application deadline is May 15
OTHELLO - The Columbia Basin Health Association will start a training program for nurse practitioners, beginning in September. The program's application deadline is May 15.