CREDITS LOCAL AID

TEKOA – The Whitman County Sheriff's Office has credited the assistance of landowners and citizens in bringing a quick resolution to a recent alleged crime. Sunday evening Whitman County Deputies received a report of a stolen side-by-side Utility Type Vehicle (UTV) near Tekoa.

Deputies responded to the area of the UTV’s last known location and observed tire tracks headed in the direction of Tekoa Mountain, north of town. With assistance from local landowners and the use of private off road vehicles, deputies began to follow the tracks into adjoining fields.

While searching for the UTV, deputies located a black Ford Excursion that appeared to have recently crashed into a ravine on Tekoa Mountain. The registration on that vehicle indicated it belonged Michael Babinski, 51, of Latah, Wash. The stolen UTV was also located a short distance away from the Ford Excursion, stuck in an area of heavy brush.

Not long after the vehicles were discovered, Babinski was located walking on a road just outside of Tekoa. Deputies contacted and interviewed Babinski who allegedly admitted to taking the UTV after he crashed his vehicle in an effort to get home. Babinski was transported by ambulance and treated for injuries sustained during the crash of his vehicle.

Once Babinski was released by the hospital, he was booked into the Whitman County Jail on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, second degree criminal trespass and second degree malicious mischief. Babinski is expected to have his first court appearance on today.