Seven arrested in MLPD, Safeway undercover operation
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 hours, 33 minutes 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 — Eight 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.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Seven arrested in MLPD, Safeway undercover operation
MOSES LAKE — Eight 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.
Othello Museum opens for 2026 with new, refurbished exhibits
OTHELLO — One of the newest Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce members cut the ribbon at its upgraded facility Saturday. The Othello Museum opened its doors for the summer season. “It really has a new look and new feel,” said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary. The revived museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, with museum officials hoping to extend the season to October. As befits a museum, it’s one of the oldest buildings in town, originally the Othello Methodist Church built in 1908. It opened as a museum in 1972, but a lack of heating and cooling in the building limited its use in recent years.
Rocks close one lane of SR 17 over weekend
SOAP LAKE — One lane of state Route 17 was closed for most of the weekend while Washington State Department of Transportation crews removed rocks from the cliff. The road originally was closed Friday evening and stayed closed until Sunday afternoon. “Someone driving by noticed a rock leaning out of a bluff and contacted us,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications consultant, in answer to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. “Our WSDOT geotechnical experts assessed the situation, (then) our contractors scaled it.” The northbound lane was closed at 5 p.m. Friday one mile north of Soap Lake, with drivers encountering alternating traffic, flaggers, slowdowns and delays. The lane was reopened at 1 p.m. Sunday. “We trimmed it first, knocked down the loose rock and then had it hauled away,” Moraga said.