A Texas man who drove his pick-up truck onto Front Street Park in Leavenworth Dec. 22, and tore up the landscape by spinning donuts, causing significant damage, has been identified.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has shared a photo of 28-year old Zachary Soltis. Sheriff's detectives say they have probable cause to arrest him for a crime.
"We're able to identify him off of eye witness accounts as well as license plate information," Undersheriff Dan Ozment said. "They (detectives) back tracked through different databases, were eventually able to get ahold of the dealership that the vehicle had been serviced through and then identify the owner of the vehicle. Our deputies were then actually able to make contact with the suspect at one point and question him about it. We would definitely like to get his side of the story."
License plate reader cameras, called Flock safety cameras, installed at intersections in many areas of the state and proposed by Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison to be installed in the county, assisted detectives in tracking the suspect.
"We were able to find the vehicle travelling toward the Washington-Idaho border, so we were able to find out that the suspect was on his way back to Texas at that time," Ozment shared. "Since then our deputies have been in contact with him, trying to get an interview going and question him about it."
"At this time we're working through our different options and plans with the prosecutors office to determine what our next steps are, the Undersheriff said. "There's a lot of logistics that are in play if you want to arrest somebody from another state and bring them back to your area. What we really just encourage him to do , he has the opportunity to turn himself in."
"In this case, it was just our patrol deputies showcased their talents and expertise when it comes to conducting law enforcement investigations," Ozment added.
The Chelan County Prosecutor will determine formal charges that may be filed against Soltis and any extradition proceeding that may occur.
The city of Leavenworth has reopened the park for sledding after temporarily closing off the damaged area early last week for repairs.