Sheriff’s Office warns of impostors posing as deputy, CPS worker

MOSES LAKE, Wash.-- The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man and woman approached the owner of a home outside of Moses Lake on Monday, identified themselves as law enforcement and Child Protective Services, and said they needed to check on the children in the home.

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is concerned that the couple may be laying the groundwork for future crimes.

The incident happened on Monday, January 18, when a man and woman arrived at a home in the 14000 block of Road 4-Northeast just outside of Moses Lake.

The pair approached the homeowner, saying they were from law enforcement and CPS, and needed enter the home to check on the children living there.

The homeowner initially granted permission for the two to enter the home, but became suspicious when the female went back to the car and sat in the driver’s seat.

The homeowner then told the male not to enter the home, and warned the man that he was going inside the home and get his gun. When the homeowner returned a moment later, the man and woman were gone.

The male suspect had identified himself as a Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy. However, there is no record of any law enforcement agency or Child Protective Services representative assigned to any case at that home.

Investigators believe the couple were impersonating officials in order to gain access to the home, but aren't sure why, though they suspect that the pair may be laying the groundwork to commit future crimes.

The man is described having a light brown complexion, 6’02” tall, with brown hair with a crew cut, and was clean shaven. He was wearing a black polo with no logo, green tactical style pants and black shoes. He wore aviator sunglasses and had a tattoo on the left side of his neck.

The female is described as white, 170 lbs. with long brown hair and wearing a black dress with thick shoulder straps.

The suspects arrived and left together in a gray Chevrolet Impala, unknown license plate. There are no images or video of the incident.

Anyone who is approached or contacted by persons answering the descriptions above should ask to inspect their official credentials to verify their identities. If in doubt, call MACC Dispatch at 509-762-1160 to confirm that the people are indeed who they say they are.