Arrest Made in 2011 Firearm Theft

DAYTON – Dayton resident Joshua A. Roska, 33, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 29, as part of an ongoing investigation into a 2011 gun theft.

The firearm, a Walther P22 pistol, was taken in October 2011 from a tent at the Shangri-La RV Park on Rose Gulch Road, west of Dayton on Highway 12.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies, with the help of officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, executed a search warrant at 125 W. Patit Avenue, in Dayton, last Monday afternoon after receiving information that the firearm might be inside the home, according to Columbia County Undersheriff Richard Loyd.

During the search, deputies recovered the stolen firearm and its attached suppressor. Deputies also recovered three switch-blade knives, which are illegal under Washington law. Suppressors are legal in Washington as long as they are registered.

Roska was arrested without incident on suspicion of possession of a stolen firearm, as well as possession of dangerous weapons including the suppressor and knives. He was also being held on a Pasco Police Department warrant for DUI charges.

Roska was arraigned on Tuesday, Dec. 30, and was released from Columbia County Jail after posting a $5,000 unsecured bond for local charges and paying bail on the Pasco PD warrant.