Royal City, WA – Two men were arrested early Friday morning after a fuel theft incident escalated into a hit-and-run in unincorporated Grant County near Royal City, authorities said.
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 4 a.m. Friday to a fuel pump alarm in the 11000 block of Road 9-Southwest. Investigators say the property owner discovered two men allegedly stealing gasoline from the pumps.
Authorities said the property owner attempted to block the suspects’ vehicle using his pickup truck. During the confrontation, the suspect vehicle reportedly struck the owner’s pickup as it fled the scene.
Deputies located and stopped the vehicle a short time later near the Adams Road and Interstate 90 overpass. Both occupants were taken into custody without further incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver, identified by authorities as 31-year-old Adrian Mendoza Calderon of Mattawa, was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief, third-degree theft, and hit-and-run. Deputies also reported Calderon had three outstanding warrants at the time of his arrest. His vehicle was impounded.
The passenger, 41-year-old Sarafin Rangel Sambrano of Independence, Oregon, was also booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft.
No injuries were reported in the collision, and damage estimates were not immediately released by authorities.
The case remains under investigation. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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