Arrest of Military Gear Thieves: Assault on Soldier and Nazi Paraphernalia Uncovered
Two individuals with military backgrounds were taken into custody in Washington state for allegedly assaulting a soldier with a hammer and stealing equipment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Levi Austin Frakes and Charles Ethan Fields were arrested at their residence in Lacey, near Olympia, and were found in possession of various military gear, including grenade launchers, body armor, and Nazi-related items. The suspects admitted to stealing equipment from the base over a two-year period with the intention of selling or trading it, according to the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Frakes and Fields are facing federal charges of robbery, assault, and theft of government property, as well as state charges related to possession of incendiary devices, short-barreled rifles, and a machine gun. They are currently held at the Pierce County Jail on $500,000 bail each. The incident occurred when a soldier encountered the two men at the Army Ranger compound, leading to a physical altercation where the soldier was struck with a hammer and sustained injuries.
The soldier managed to gain control of the hammer during the fight, but one of the suspects then brandished a knife. The soldier, who required medical treatment, identified one of the attackers as Fields based on a hat left at the scene. Investigators used base entry logs and surveillance footage to link Fields and Frakes to the incident. A search of the defendants' residence uncovered a cache of firearms, including a machine gun, along with military equipment and Nazi memorabilia.
The FBI executed a search warrant at the suspects' home, where they found a significant number of firearms, explosives, body armor, and other military gear. The discovery of Nazi paraphernalia, including a red flag with a swastika, raised further concerns about the suspects' motives. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with both Frakes and Fields facing serious charges for their alleged actions.
In conclusion, the arrest of Frakes and Fields in connection with the assault on a soldier and theft of military equipment highlights the serious nature of the incident. The presence of a cache of firearms, explosives, and Nazi paraphernalia at their residence underscores the potential dangers posed by individuals engaging in such criminal activities. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the case to ensure that justice is served and to prevent similar incidents in the future.