Full Notification

GRANT COUNTY, Wash. (23DEC2015) – Five Grant County families were surprised Tuesday when Grant County’s Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) served “A-Rest Warrants” at each of their homes, alongside Santa and a member of each family’s clergy. The "A Rest Warrant" project delivers a special Christmas surprise to area families in need.

The families who were served “A-Rest Warrants” this year included:

• The Caballos family of 5, Moses Lake.
• The Warner family of 4, Moses Lake.
• The Gutierrez family of 7, Schwana.
• The Morphin family of 8, Quincy.

A fifth family was “served” but their names are being withheld due to one of the foster children being in protective custody.

How the "A-Rest" surprise works: Upon arrival to the home, a member from the family’s local law enforcement jurisdiction reads from a court-ordered 'A-Rest Warrant’, while INET, dressed in camouflage raid gear and Santa beards, brings food, gifts, and a posse of enthusiastic volunteers. Also accompanying INET throughout the day were Prosecutor Garth Dano, Defense Attorney Trevor R. Bevier, Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones, Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Ruffin, Quincy Police Chief Robert Heimbach, Washington State Patrol Sergeant Elizabeth Bigger, Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith, numerous Sheriff’s office support staff, police officers, state patrol troopers, and civilian volunteers.

INET detectives, inspired a little over a year ago by viral videos, decided to develop and deliver on a project of similar scope. The selected families, sought out by GCSO Chaplains and in partnership with area churches and Serve Moses Lake, not only received “A-Rest”, but also had some special needs identified and filled with long-term, functional-purpose gifts. As a result, through the help of generous donors, one family received a stove, another received a dining room table and chairs, and another family received a futon couch and carpet. In addition to the aforementioned gifts, the following holiday gifts (including but not limited to) were also delivered:

· Commemorative “A-Rest Warrant” signed by Judge John D. Knodell;
· Box of Christmas decorations and in some instances, a tree;
· Pizza meal delivered at time of warrant service;
· Power bill caught up and paid another month in advance;
· Each family received cards for a car oil change, car wash and fuel;
· Each child was given at least two gifts to unwrap on Christmas morning and also provided a stuffed stocking;
· Bike-aged children received bikes;
· Each family was provided a traditional holiday meal including a ham or a turkey and all the trimmings;
· The adults in the household were given a night out, including haircuts, manicures, childcare, dinner and a movie;
· The adults were also given a gift card to shop for immediate household needs;
· Each of the adults were provided a membership to Evolve Fitness;
· Each family was provided a gift certificate to have their laundry washed and folded;
· Moms were provided with a basket full of pampering goodies;
· Fathers were provided with a tool box.

It was a terrific day and it couldn’t have been done without generous donors including:

Alan Barrowman, Andy Allred, Anna Valle, Art and Sole, B&G Farms, Blue Sky Management, Brown Boy Onions, Callahan Manufacturing, Inc., Carol Highland, Cave B, Central Basin Hardware & Supply, Charity Sainsbury, Cherrianne Bickler, Chris Lafferty, Columbia Basin Herald, Columbia Basin Striping, Cost Less Carpet, Cruzers Driving Academy, DAC Consulting, Inc., Dave Heaverlo, Deb Shay, Diana Jones, Dominos Pizza, Edie Cole, Judge Evan Sperline, Evolve Fitness, Fairchild Cinemas, Family Swartz, Garth Dano, Gary Mann Real Estate, GCSO, General Laundry, Granco Federal Credit Union, Grant Co Deputy Sheriffs Association, Grant County District Court (Babs), Grant County Sheriff's Posse, Jeremy Huberdeau, Jet Farms, John Montemayer, Jordan Hamilton, Judge David Estudillo, Kenneth Greene, Angela Greene, Kent Copley, Lake Bowl, Lawrence Orchards, Michael Christensen, Michael's On the Lake, Mike and Robin Scroggins, Moses Lake Alliance Church, Moses Lake School Dist-Transportation Dept, Norwest Ingredients, Packs Delivery, Paul & Joanne Verhey, Quincy Police Department, Quincy Police Officers Association, Randy Allred Farms, Randy Boruff, Randy Fairchild, Ray and Anna Valle Jr., Robert Schiffner, Royal Ridge Fruit and Cold Storage, Ryan and Sabrina Christianson, Saddle Mnt Supply Company, Scott Freidig, ShopKo Quincy, Teddy Bear Car Care, True Step Shoe Repair, Valle Transportation, WA Trust Employees, Westside Pizza Quincy, Wiley and Maria Allred, and WSP Trooper Association.

Some additional donors requested to remain anonymous. We apologize for any omissions.

Sheriff Tom Jones said, “We remain honored and humbled by the show of support from our community in helping out these families deserving of A-Rest. I want to thank INET, the project donors, as well as our law enforcement partners across the county, for taking on a project that truly speaks to the spirit of Christmas.”

PICS: www.facebook.com/GrantCoSheriff

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PR76/AGT1
Sharon Palmerton
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
509-760-6314

Address/Location
Grant County Sheriff's Office
35 C St NW
Ephrata, WA 98823

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 509-754-2011