2 Yakima residents arrested for stealing from Prosser farm

BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF NEWS RELEASE -- On June 22nd at about 10:04 am Patrol Deputies responded to a report of a theft in progress, in an orchard near the intersection of Snipes and Griffin Roads. A local farmer called 911 advising he found two people, a male and female, stealing scrap metal from the farm. When the farmer confronted the two suspects they ran to their vehicle, a full size Dodge pick-up, and tried to flee the scene. While doing this the farmer, still seated in his vehicle, had to rapidly maneuver to avoid being rammed. The two suspects, later identified as 32 year old Lucas J. Tweeten and 22 year old Margaux A. Vautour (both from Yakima, Washington) were able to get away in their truck. The farmer pursued the suspects down a farm road when the suspects suddenly made a U-turn and appear to be attempting to ram the farmer. The suspects stopped and the driver, Lucas Tweeten, got out of his truck. He approached the farmer in an aggressing manner and the farmer (fearing for his safety) pulled out a handgun and held the two until deputies arrived.

Lucas Tweeten and Margaux Vautour were in the process of stealing diesel fuel when discovered. Further investigation over the weekend determined that the two were also in the process of stealing scrap metal, car parts and approximately $1,300 worth of brass sprinkler heads from Wycoff Farms. It is also believed the two are responsible for addition thefts in the area and the investigation is still on going.

Lucas Tweeten and Margaux Vautour were booked into the Benton County Jail for Robbery and Theft.