Charges filed against suspect in San Antonio kidnapping case

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake police have filed new charges against a Texas man arrested earlier this week in connection with the kidnapping of a 16-year-old.

Andres Hernandez, 28, is facing local charges of second-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment and improper storage of a firearm, in addition to the warrant from San Antonio on kidnapping and a number of charges in jurisdictions across the state and country, according to officials with the Moses Lake Police Department.

Hernandez was arrested Tuesday morning after officers received information that he and his victim were in the Grant County area, and law enforcement circulated the suspect’s vehicle description and license plate number. Local officers received assistance from Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service.

In a Tuesday statement on social media, Moses Lake police officials credited Sgt. Dean Gaddis, their “third K-9 officer,” for locating Hernandez’s vehicle in the 1100 block of Grape Drive. “Sgt. Gaddis, who is part bloodhound, set surveillance on the vehicle, and officers were able to take Hernandez into custody this morning,” Moses Lake police wrote.

“There’s no officer that’s better at tracking people down and finding evidence,” Capt. Mike Williams said in a brief interview Tuesday.

Hernandez was found in possession of a pistol when he was arrested, and the victim was located nearby, according to police.