Man accused of smashing car windows and setting fire in Moses Lake

A man is in Grant County Jail after police say he used a steel bar to smash the windows of several cars and pulled a butcher knife on officers.

Deputies and Moses Lake Police were called around 4 p.m. Sunday to assist Grant County Fire District #5 and the City of Moses Lake Fire Department with a house fire on Lee Drive in Cascade Valley.

According to witnesses, a man with a steel bar left the house immediately after the fire was noticed.

Officers said they found the man on foot on Valley Road near Ottmar Road.

They say the man ignored the deputy's orders to drop the steel bar and pulled out a butcher knife during the altercation.

Officers said they continued to speak with the man and instructed him to drop the steel bar and butcher knife.

They say the man eventually dropped the butcher knife but then began smashing the windows of nearby parked cars.

Deputies and officers used tasers and beanbag projectiles on the man, which initially had little effect on the man's behavior. They say the efforts continued until the man was taken into custody.

Officers had drawn their weapons but said no shots were fired.

The man is accused of damaging several vehicles and resisting police authority. He is also suspected of causing the house fire.

His name will be announced on Monday morning. The fire safety officer is investigating the exact cause of the fire in the house.

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