CRIME BLOTTER

Fugitive steals dead infant’s ID to avoid arrest for alleged child sex crimes

Dec 6, 2022, 11:50 AM

burien gas station robbed...

Cop lights activated atop a police vehicle. (MyNorthwest file photo)

(MyNorthwest file photo)

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office arrested a fugitive from North Carolina wanted for numerous sex crimes against children.

Deputies said Ronald Lee Burns had been living in Mason County for the past five years under the assumed name of Paul Davis.

The 65-year-old Burns was recently arrested in connection with an alleged sex offense with a child in Mason County.

Investigators said Burns has a valid Washington State driver’s license. According to deputies, he got the ID by assuming the identity of an infant who died in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1957.

The FBI assisted deputies in checking Burns’ fingerprints against a national database which confirmed his true identity.

Burns told investigators he had researched the infant’s death online and assumed the identity in 2016 when he took off from North Carolina to avoid being prosecuted for alleged multiple child sex offenses.

In addition to being arrested for the new offenses, Burns faces charges of identity theft alongside his warrant from North Carolina.

Man tears off wheel while fleeing Seattle police in stolen moving van

Series of convenience store robberies strike Seattle

Seattle Police said two suspects went into a convenience store in the 9200 block of 35th Avenue SW early Sunday morning.

Investigators said one pulled out a handgun and stole up to $700 from the register.

According to officers, the suspects took off in a waiting white BMW 3 Series coupe with a third person and fled the area southbound.

About 20 minutes later, King County Sheriff’s Deputies reported an armed robbery at the Shell station at 12653 Ambaum BLVD SW, with descriptions matching the suspects.

BB guns stolen from store in Westwood Village

Seattle Police said early Monday morning, officers responded to a call at a store located in the 2500 block of Southwest Barton Street at Westwood Village.

Investigators said the suspects drove up to the front of the store in a Chevy Suburban and a beige or silver sedan.

The Chevy rammed the front of the store four times and caused significant damage. Two suspects stole an unknown amount of carbon dioxide BB Guns and drove off northbound.

Police say the suspects wore face coverings and gloves.

$7,000 worth of construction supplies stolen in early morning burglary

Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputies responded early Saturday morning to a burglary alarm at a construction supply business in the 11300 block of 58th Avenue East Summit.

When deputies arrived on the scene, the suspects were already gone. The manager told deputies that the suspects had stolen two paint sprayers valued at $7,000.

Surveillance video showed a pickup truck that backed into the business’ glass doors, and two male suspects entered the building. They loaded the paint sprayers into the bed of the pickup truck and drove away.

Both suspects were wearing hoodies and gloves.

Have a tip on a crime story? Message Darren Dedo on Twitter or email him here.

Crime Blotter

monroe nurse sexual assault...

MyNorthwest Staff

Former Monroe nurse charged with 4 felonies over alleged patient sexual assaults

A former hospital nurse in Monroe was charged with four felonies earlier this month after he allegedly sexually assaulted several patients while in his care.

8 minutes ago

stolen excavator facebook marketplace...

MyNorthwest Staff

Man tries to sell stolen excavator on Facebook Marketplace, owner recognizes it

A man is facing charges after Pierce County deputies said he tried to sell a stolen excavator on Facebook Marketplace.

2 hours ago

wdfw black bear poach oso...

Frank Sumrall

WDFW seeks public’s help identifying two men who allegedly poached black bear in Oso

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is searching for two men allegedly caught on camera hunting while trespassing on private property.

8 hours ago

kitsap county sheriff doordash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Couple sentenced in stabbing, carjacking of DoorDash driver who offered their family a ride near Sequim

A couple accused of stabbing and carjacking DoorDash driver Melvin Swagerty after he stopped to help their family near Sequim last year are headed to prison.

1 day ago

Bremerton SWAT dead...

Jason Sutich

Barricaded man fires several rounds at SWAT team, later found dead inside home near Bremerton

An armed man barricaded himself inside a home in unincorporated Bremerton on Monday and died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

1 day ago

UW homicide suspect treatment...

KIRO 7 News Staff

UW homicide suspect will receive a second round of psychiatric treatment

Christopher Leahy, the man accused of stabbing UW student Juniper Blessing to death in May, will receive a second round of psychiatric treatment.

2 days ago

Fugitive steals dead infant’s ID to avoid arrest for alleged child sex crimes