Moses Lake Police Recover $50,000 Stolen From Hotel Guest

Legacy automated check: the original source text was not preserved. These earlier verdicts have not passed the current publication checks and may contain errors. Source: original document ↗

• ✓
  Moses Lake Police recovered $50,000 buried near Interstate 90“After days of searching in the summer heat, on Friday, July 31, Moses Lake police detectives recovered approximately $50,000 that had been stolen from a hotel guest and buried in a field near Interstate 90, bringing a successful conclusion to an investigation involving what police described as both forensic evidence and persistent detective work.”
• ✓
  The recovery concluded an investigation into a July 27 theft from a hotel guest“After days of searching in the summer heat, on Friday, July 31, Moses Lake police detectives recovered approximately $50,000 that had been stolen from a hotel guest and buried in a field near Interstate 90, bringing a successful conclusion to an investigation involving what police described as both forensic evidence and persistent detective work.”
• ✓
  The victim reported that Mickael Shon Rivera, 60, stole $80,000–$100,000 in cash“According to MLPD records, the woman and Rivera had been traveling across the state and stopped overnight in Moses Lake. The woman told police she woke around 6 a.m. and heard the hotel room door close. When she looked, Rivera and a bag containing between $80,000 and $100,000 in cash were gone, The woman chased Rivera from the hotel but lost sight of him before police arrived, according to MLPD Capt. Jeff Sursely.”
• ✓
  Rivera fled the hotel after stealing the cash“When she looked, Rivera and a bag containing between $80,000 and $100,000 in cash were gone, The woman chased Rivera from the hotel but lost sight of him before police arrived, according to MLPD Capt. Jeff Sursely.”
• ✓
  Rivera was arrested July 28 with $40,000“Rivera was booked into the Grant County Jail on a charge of first-degree theft. According to the Grant County Jail roster, Rivera was booked July 28 by the Moses Lake Police Department. However, a significant amount of the money remained missing. According to police, Rivera told investigators he had hidden the cash but claimed he could not remember exactly where he had left it. "Rivera said he had been using drugs and did not know exactly where he put the money," Sursely said. "He assisted officers in trying to find it, but they were unable to locate it based off his description or where he had showed them." Following Rivera's arrest and release from jail, detectives continued searching areas he identified. Officers and detectives spent days combing fields and property near Interstate 90 while attempting to determine where the remaining money had been hidden.”
• ✓
  Rivera could not recall where he hid the rest“Rivera said he had been using drugs and did not know exactly where he put the money,”
• ✓
  Detectives used surveillance footage and searched fields near I-90 for days“Police said detectives combined physical evidence with surveillance footage obtained from area businesses to narrow their search area. "Using video from businesses around the area, they were able to narrow down the area, did another search and ended up finding the $50,000 located on the side of I-90," Sursely said. The department announced Thursday that detectives ultimately recovered the missing cash after what it described as dozens of officers spending dozens of hours searching through dust and heat.”
• ✓
  The missing funds were recovered“The department announced Thursday that detectives ultimately recovered the missing cash after what it described as dozens of officers spending dozens of hours searching through dust and heat.”
• ✓
  Police said the money was not linked to criminal activity“Police said they have no indication the money was connected to criminal activity. "As far as we know, it's non-criminal money," Sursely said.”
• ✓
  The victim has received part of the recovered cash“Sursely said the victim already has received the first portion of the recovered cash and will be able to retrieve the remainder.”
• ✓
  The case was led by Detective Matt Harum“The department credited Detective Matt Harum, the lead investigator on the case, and Major Crimes Unit Supervisor Sgt. Rudy Valdez for helping bring the case to a successful conclusion.”
• ⚠
  Sgt. Rudy Valdez led the caseNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
• ✓
  Police credited their persistence for the resolution“Sursely said the recovery reflects the determination of department personnel to assist crime victims. "I think it just goes to the fact that the culture at the Moses Lake Police Department doesn't allow us to give up, and we work tirelessly to try and take care of our victims of crime," he said.”