beretrobbery.jpg
One of the suspects in the robbery of a Green Beret's Puyallup home is shown in this store surveillance image. (Puyallup PD image)

Thieves swipe weapons and ammo in robbery of Green Beret's Puyallup home

BY Tim Haeck  on December 19, 2012 @ 2:48 pm (Updated: 4:43 pm - 12/19/12 )

Burglars made off with a significant number of weapons and ammunition when they kicked in the door of a Green Beret in Puyallup.

"Some significant items that were taken (including) several weapons, ballistic vest, some items for his profession as a Green Beret," said police Captain Scott Engle. Engle said that during the break-in last month, the Green Beret was deployed overseas for training.

Detectives have surveillance photos of four suspects, two men and two women, who tried to use the soldier's stolen credit cards the day of the burglary last month.

Recently, officers recovered one of the stolen weapons when they made a drunk driving arrest.

"That person has a significant criminal history and incident of arrest, they discovered a handgun which was stolen in our burglary from the Green Beret's home," Engle said.

Detectives think the burglars pulled a car into the soldier's garage to load the stolen goods. Engle estimated the loss at $20,000.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (20)


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  • Howdy wrote...
    I'd say...
    December 19, 2012 7:16 pm
    put the victim on the case. Let him track these guys down and deal with them, I'm sure he would jump at that opportunity.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JMGilday wrote...
    thank you for your service, BUT
    December 19, 2012 7:20 pm
    where the heck was your gun safe?

    I don't want to put the victim on trial here, but if Newtown Elementary taught us anything, it's the importance of locking weapons away from the mentally ill and a-holes

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Since when
    December 19, 2012 7:28 pm
    Do US soldiers take guns and ballistic vests home with them?If the guns are US issued kick the SOB out of the service and find out if this is SOP for special forces guys
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  • imanegro wrote...
    Officer messiah101
    December 19, 2012 7:35 pm
    Thank you for sharing your deep thinking with us, and your concern for mankind. Not to mention your advice on how to prevent this from happening again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    @messiah101
    December 19, 2012 9:32 pm
    I'm not going to belittle because I know you are just ignorant on these things. We're all ignorant about something. If the firearms he had at home were government issue, he'd be in jail already. Ballistic vests are a professional item that can be purchased legally, anywhere, just like firearms. The vests are also basic issue that only require reasonably safe storage; your domain for instance. As for safes; I had a friend who had to leave town for an extended period of time. His home was broken into and both his safes were yanked out of the ground and hauled away (sometime living out in the sticks has it's drawbacks). There is not a 100% solution to anything. You take reasonable measures and move on. Most importantly, this man is a patriot who by virtue of his profession has put his butt on the line multiple times so you can camp out on the Capitol lawn and cast your filth.
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  • messiah101 wrote...
    Cup of Joe "A Patriot"???
    December 20, 2012 7:44 am
    Actually this guy is a man who works for the US Government.Someone does NOT become a Patriot or a Hero simply by joining the US Armed Forces.Because of his sloppy stewardship of his guns as well as his vests he has endangered the American public.If someone commits a Capital crime while wearing the vest or using the stolen weapons then he should be charged as an accessory.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Messiah
    December 20, 2012 8:08 am
    The lady that issued you your EBT card is a government worker. This soldier is actively supporting and defending the Constitution, which requires you to take an oath. Just because you believe that the Constitution is an outdated document does not lessen his service. Your argument that he did anything wrong is "sloppy". However, your disdain for service members is quite evident.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Cup of Joe
    December 20, 2012 9:23 am
    I did NOT lessen his service I said that joining the military does NOT automatically make anyone a Patriot same as becoming a police officer,a fireman or emt does not make you a HERO. Face it lots of people sign up for the military because they are adrenalin junkies or they are having problems getting a job in the world.
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  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Messiah
    December 20, 2012 10:59 am
    I agree, one just needs to take a look at the SSG Bales case for a quick reference. You came right out of the gate calling him a SOB and casting a quick judgement. It sounds like anyone volunteering for service is just an adrenaline junky or can't find a job until they prove themselves otherwise. Still a negative perspective from your end. You have every right to dislike the military. Most people on the left don't like the armed forces, but will pay lip service to be politically correct.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Fast and Furious..
    December 20, 2012 8:31 am
    according to your logic Messiah, Chairman O and Eric Holder should charged with accessory to murder...right? Oh by the way, they found another weapon associated with that debacle, but you'll have to go to a real news network to see or read the story.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Cup of Joe
    December 20, 2012 9:19 am
    "I'm not going to belittle you because I know that your ignorant on these things" But law enforcement in probably EVERY country in the world engages in schemes in order to infiltrate criminal organizations.Where have you been?I'll pose the same question to you as I have to others in that "fast and Furious" bag of fruitcakes and that is Do you believe that the cartels that the US government supplied weapons to had NO OTHER access to arms?Was the US govt their last resort to arm themselves?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Once again you are correct
    December 20, 2012 11:05 am
    The difference is when you get caught red handed you have to do like every one else that get's caught and testify before Congress. This administration continues to get a free pass in every blatant screw up they get themselves into. A little bit of accountability is in order, not just saying " I take full responsibility". Taking full responsibility for something is usually followed up by some consequences.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    CupofJoe
    December 20, 2012 10:44 am
    A "real" news network being one that ignores the "gun walking" and loss of firearms during the previous administration?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @jmgilday
    December 20, 2012 7:13 am
    No one is putting the victim on trial here. He's a victim of a break in and that sucks. HOWEVER - if he had followed the training he recieved in the military, his guns would have been properly secured (aka locked up). If a gun is not on your hip, in your hand, within arm's reach (and within sight) or is not securely locked up, he's violating his training. - in other words, If he were on base, these personal guns of his would be required to be locked up unless he was using them. So now, because he violated his training (and even the training that the NRA provides), we have more guns out in the hands of criminals. We will have more people harmed by violence from criminals using (his) guns because it wasn't important enough for this guy to follow his training and have his guns locked up. It's pathetic.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CupofJoe wrote...
    Time , tools
    December 20, 2012 7:55 am
    and proper planning is all you need to get to what you want. A safe is just a deterrent. But don't bother with those simple facts. Just assume that law abiding citizens are doing the wrong thing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    Mr. Haeck
    December 19, 2012 7:25 pm
    There are at least 5 people in the picture. Perhaps you would be so kind as to let us know which is the suspect?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sn98006 wrote...
    imanegro
    December 20, 2012 7:46 am
    I see four people and two of them are pretty much out the door... I am not sure where you are getting at least five? That is unless you are counting the headless manikins.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    wow
    December 20, 2012 5:51 am
    ever heard of a gun safe?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Big Zipper wrote...
    Let's play this out...
    December 20, 2012 8:28 am
    Lets say AR15s and bullet proof vests are not locked up...stolen...and then used in the next school shooting or cop shooting...is the issue so complex that we just accept this as ok? If my kids are killed and at the root cause is this guys gun mismanagement...you are dang right I'm holding him accountable too. And yes, I lock my guns up tight.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • gourilla wrote...
    When?
    December 20, 2012 11:33 am
    Break in reported last month. Why is this news now?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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