Rural Soap Lake business searched for stolen property

In another strike against criminal activity in Grant County, members of the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Thursday morning, March 31, on a rural Soap Lake business believed to be trafficking stolen property.

Around 8 a.m. on March 31, investigators executed a search warrant on a house and 30-acre parcel at Boneyard Recycling, 1974 County Rd 19.3-NE, near County Road A.5-NE, about three miles east of Soap Lake. The warrant was a result of a stolen property investigation which began in Adams County. Adams County investigators sought assistance from Grant County and INET when information developed identifying the Road 19.3-NE address as being involved in possible criminal activity.

No arrests have yet been made, but detectives detained and interviewed seven persons who were found either living at or roaming about the 30-acre property, which includes one house, several ad-hoc dwellings, a pig farm and many acres of scrap metal, illegally stored fuels and hulk vehicles.

Living conditions on-site were deplorable, and investigators from the Grant County Building Department, the Grant County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Grant County Health District, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries were on-site tallying violations and deciding on any necessary action.

Law enforcement was on-scene that morning continuing to identify suspected stolen property. The full scale of the stolen property won’t be known until the on-site operations finish, and arrests are likely to be made as investigators collect the necessary evidence.

The investigation continues.

“This bust was made possible because of the cooperation between Grant and Adams Counties as we work together to fight property thefts,” said Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones. “Because of these partnerships, Grant County is one step closer to being a safer place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is always interested in any information citizens may have about crime or suspected criminal activity. Call the Sheriff’s Office at 509-754-2011, Ext. 468, or send an e-mail to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us. Tipsters can remain anonymous.