WWPD arrests suspect for muffler shop vandalism
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Police Department arrested Lazaro J. Cortez Rivera, 27, of Walla Walla Sunday afternoon on charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, and second-degree malicious mischief at Melody Muffler, located on the 400 block of South Ninth Avenue.
Officers were called to the business at 3:54 p.m. for a report of a man throwing bricks through the windows at that location. When officers arrived, the suspect was no longer on scene.
A short time later, after the officers had left, Cortez Rivera returned to the location and confronted the business owner.
“Cortez Rivera went after the owner with a large object he grabbed from inside the business,” Public Information Officer Sgt. Nick Loudermilk said. Officers were called back to the location and took Cortez Rivera into custody. No one was injured.
