Manhunt ends in Grant County

The Police Department, in collaboration with the Adams County Sheriff's Office, has identified a primary suspect in the recent string of burglaries in the area.

Marcus Chamberlain, 31, has been apprehended by the Grant County Sheriff's Office. According to a press release published by the Adams County Sheriff's Office, Chamberlain was located at a site within Grant County and booked on suspicion of several charges.

Reports say that on Friday, March 8, the Ritzville Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff's Office executed two search warrants targeting stolen property and related items at locations within Ritzville's city limits.

The warrants were served at addresses in the 100 Block of West 6th Street and the 600 Block of West Broadway Avenue. 

Police Chief Dave McCormick had previously reported on the troubling rash of burglaries in the area during a recent City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 5. The burglaries, which targeted various locations, including residences, unoccupied buildings, businesses, and churches, amounted to eight incidents. In some instances, entry was gained through unlocked doors, with no signs of forced entry detected. McCormick had lamented the absence of security measures such as cameras or alarms in the affected buildings.

According to reports from the meeting, McCormick revealed that a suspect had been identified as having been involved in the burglaries. He expressed gratitude for the increasing cooperation from community members who had previously hesitated to come forward with information.

"Those folks are tired of it too," McCormick remarked. "They're beginning to want the problem stopped as much as we do."

Providing a glimmer of hope amidst the grim statistics, McCormick reported no burglaries in the past 8-10 days. He expressed optimism about tracking down stolen property and the possibility of recovery.

In one notable incident, a vehicle was stolen from a garage during a residential burglary. Acting on a tip from a vigilant neighbor, law enforcement located the vehicle a few hours after its theft. It was discovered in an area known for drug distribution and stolen property in Grant County.

Fingerprints retrieved from the vehicle were submitted to the State Crime Lab. However, McCormick acknowledged the prolonged wait times associated with property crime investigations.

"In the near future, we hope to make at least one arrest and recover some of the stolen property," he asserted, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of law enforcement.