Deputy in Washington state loses inmate’s keys; sheriff’s office has to replace locks

Wash. sheriff has to replace inmate’s locks

SOAP LAKE, Wash. — A sheriff’s office in Washington state has paid more than $400 to replace an inmate’s locks and keys after a deputy left the keys on the back of his cruiser and took off without grabbing them.

Authorities in Grant County say Michael Eugene Power was arrested for violating a protection order. Before transporting Power, a deputy placed the suspect’s keys and wallet on top of the closed trunk of his patrol vehicle.

But when the deputy was ordered to respond to a different call, he took off without grabbing the keys and wallet and they fell off. The wallet was returned to Power, but the keys have not been found.

The sheriff’s office replaced the keys and locks for Power’s home and vehicle.

Information from: Columbia Basin Herald, www.columbiabasinherald.com