MOSES LAKE — An alleged vehicle thief was taken into custody in Moses Lake last week after leading police on a short vehicle and foot pursuit in the city.

While on patrol on Thursday a Moses Lake officer located an unoccupied and parked stolen vehicle in the Peninsula neighborhood. The officer was able to determine the vehicle was stolen thanks to an automatic license plate reader, which can check thousands of vehicle in an hour to determine whether or not they are stolen.

MLPD Street Crimes detectives surveiled the stolen vehicle and about 4:30 p.m. Omar Lopez Arrelano, 39, got into the car with a 19-year-old woman.

Patrol officers attempted to execute a traffic stop, but Lopez Arrelano reportedly tried to flee and led officers on a short pursuit through the Guffin Eccles neighborhood. Lopez Arrelano reportedly ditched the car in the 900 block of West Broadway Avenue and took off running.

“Lopez Arrelano gave it his best shot to run from the officers, but only succeeded in getting all tired and caught,” stated MLPD Capt. Mike Williams.

Lopez Arrelano was booked into the Grant County Jail for felony eluding, possession of stolen property and resisting arrest.

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