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Go read the sites related to MS-13----they are working fairly diligently on rural areas, they are located in Portland and Spokane according to the sites I found, and the Highway 97 corridor has been known for drug trafficking from Mexico and LA and gang efforts by the FBI--for a number of years and it has gotten worse as I-5 has been torn up the last 2 years for bridge repairs etc. I don't believe MS-13 exists in Wenatchee but I have some openness to the possibility that they might have travelled into the area and left their territorial mark---that's why this crime stands out so dramatically. I believe the gangs in Wenatchee are wanna-bes as you say and were simply bystanders.
Also I do not think the wanna-be gangs would do a complicated crime like this but if you go read about MS-13 it is a whole different ball game---they are described as terrorists who defy LE and civil humanity in their violence.
This whole discussion is my #2 theory so I am not defending it to the end---but I think it deserves serious consideration. :waitasec:
---also look up Eastern Washington Gangs
Unfortunately, I've seen what gangs are capable of and have worked with agencies to eliminate the problem. There are many other gangs that would be more likely to be involved. That's only IF this was all gang-related to begin with, though.
ETA: Sorry, I'm tired and that may have sounded rude. I wasn't trying to shoot down any theories, please don't take it that way.