MOSES LAKE — Citizen tips led to the arrest of an alleged thief in Moses Lake on Tuesday.

About 9 a.m. the Grant County Sheriff’s Office sent a text and email alert via Nixle and Facebook informing residents of a theft suspect in the Moses Lake area. Residents in rural Moses Lake were told of a man who had reportedly knocked on some doors and was seeking work. The man was suspected to have been involved in the theft of three car batteries in the 12000 block of Road 8 Northeast, at which time the suspect and a car were reportedly spotted. The sheriff’s office received an additional report of a person and vehicle casing a property in the 12000 block of Road 12 Northeast, according to the sheriff’s office.

The public was told the suspect in both of the cases was a light-skinned Hispanic male in his 20s, who was driving an early model white BMW. People were advised to contact the sheriff’s office at 509-762-1160 or send information to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov if they had information on the suspect.

The suspect, identified as Benjamin Hill, 24, of Moses Lake, was taken into custody later in the day thanks to information gleaned from the public.

“The phones rang off the hook after we sent out the notice this morning on Facebook and Nixle. Citizens' information led us right to Hill, and he was arrested without incident,” according to a prepared statement from the sheriff’s office.

Hill was booked into the Grant County Jail for investigation of third-degree theft, with additional charges expected to follow.

"This is why information from citizens is so important, and we're thankful for everyone who called us today. The calls made this arrest possible," Sheriff Tom Jones said.

To sign up for and receive alerts from local law enforcement agencies via Nixle visit https://local.nixle.com/register/ or text your zip code to 888777. To "Like" the sheriff's office on Facebook visit https://www.facebook.com/GrantCoSheriff/.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.