Seven arrested in MLPD, Safeway undercover operation
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 1 week AGO
Seven people were arrested on suspicion of criminal activity during an undercover operation at the Moses Lake Safeway Monday.
FILE PHOTO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | April 28, 2026 6:57 PM
MOSES LAKE — Seven people were arrested Monday during an undercover operation designed to catch shoplifters and thieves at the Moses Lake Safeway, according to a press release from the Moses Lake Police Department.
“This was a special request,” said MLPD Captain Jeff Sursely in a separate interview.
The investigation was conducted by the MLPD’s street crimes unit. The operation lasted four hours.
“By conducting the targeted operation, MLPD and Safeway are hoping to see a visible reduction of criminal activity in the store and in the area,” the release said.
Seven people were arrested for a variety of gross misdemeanor and felony charges, the MLPD release said.
“During the operation, detectives interdicted an attempted fentanyl delivery they observed in the parking lot,” it said. “Additional drug-related charges may be filed at a later date.”
George Cooper, 46, Moses Lake, was arrested for third-degree theft; Chad Faircloth, 37, Moses Lake, was arrested on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. Both were booked into the Grant County Jail.
Patrick Thomason, 68, Moses Lake, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and third-degree theft and booked into jail. A juvenile male was arrested on suspicion of third-degree theft and released to an adult.
Jesse Rodriquez, 36, Soap Lake, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary and third-degree theft and booked into jail. Savada Contreras, 19, Soap Lake, was cited for third-degree theft and released.
Aaron Daniel, 35, Moses Lake, was cited for second-degree trespassing and released; possible charges for conspiracy to deliver fentanyl are pending.
Sursely said that businesses with a high volume of foot traffic are more vulnerable to shoplifting and theft. Safeway is located on a busy corner close to downtown, but it’s neither more nor less a target than similar stores with high volumes of foot traffic.
“Safeway has always been a great partner in their willingness to call in theft and prosecute them,” Sursely said.
Other businesses may request similar operations in the future, he said.
“You never know when it could pop up,” Sursely said.
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