Moses Lake man with criminal history arrested for string of thefts

A 32-year-old man is facing several charges after getting away from Moses Lake police last week during a foot chase.

Officers say Richard Garza was found at the Motel 6 in Moses Lake after officers were called to do a check following a series of complaints about criminal activity. When officers learned he may be in one of the rooms they obtained a search warrant and arrested him. In the room officers found stolen debit cards, checks and identification that had been taken in a vehicle prowl earlier in the day. He also had 7 ounces of marijuana.

Garza is known to police with a criminal record going back over 15 years. He will now be charged with five counts of possession of stolen property second degree and felony possession of marijuana.

Additionally, Garza was also booked on felony charges from approximately five other theft cases, including mail theft, over the last 3 weeks or so.