Burglar Who Dumped Car in Grant County Lake Arrested

When the story broke a few days ago, everyone involved thought for sure they would be searching for a body in Upper Goose Lake.  Apparently, not so.

Grant County officials say 29-year-old James Monday was arrested after receiving a tip that he was at a home in the tiny town of Marlin, which is located in the most eastern part of Grant County. The arrest occurred early Friday morning.

He was wanted in connection with an alleged burglary near Royal City last week. After being pursued by Royal City police and Grant County Sheriff's Monday drove his getaway car into the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

Officials quickly surrounded the area, and began to search inward, closing the "noose." A Grant County deputy noticed an hour later car parts and debris floating near the eastern shore of the Upper Goose Lake, at the bottom of a 20-foot cliff where the shore met the water. The debris matched the precise description of the getaway car given to police by the homeowner, who saw the burglary in progress, but didn't confront Monday in person.

Dive and Rescue units began to search, and initially officials thought they would be looking for a body.  From the debris pattern it didn't appear the driver would have survived, as they thought he had driven off the cliff-perhaps unfamiliar with the terrain.

But as it turns out, authorities believe Monday either drove or pushed the car off the cliff, perhaps to lead police to think he was dead. They did find the car, but it was empty.

After surrounding the home, Monday refused to leave, but a K-9 unit subdued him.  He was taken to Samaritan Hospital for his wounds. U.S. Marshalls  had been involved in the search, as well as Grant County Sheriffs and various police units.

This brings to a close what was first thought to be a burglary, chase, and a "Thelma and Louise" type of ending right out of a Hollywood movie.