Cowlitz County, Wash. — Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office seized nearly 400 firearms during an investigation into the theft of over 50 firearms.
Deputies said a man in his eighties was collecting and storing the guns at an undisclosed location in Cowlitz County. During the investigation into the theft of over 50 guns from the man, it was revealed the he was a convicted felon and was prohibited from owning any of the firearms.
According to CCSO, some of the victim’s guns appeared to be fully-automatic, others appeared to be home-made. Deputies are considering charges against the victim for illegal possession of firearms. A total 440 firearms were seized at the scene.
Deputies said due to the active nature of the investigation, they have not identified the victim or the exact location where the guns were stored.
The sheriff’s office said they arrested eight people on November 16th in connection with the original theft investigation–many of them are under the age of 18:
- 19-year-old Skylar Smith, charged with trafficking of stolen property, theft of a firearm.
- 19-year-old Justin C. Gillma, charged with burglary, theft of a firearm, trafficking stolen property.
- 18-year-old Mycah U. Mendoza, charged with burglary, theft of a firearm.
- 17-year-old Kyle M. Lopez, burglary, theft of a firearm.
- 15-year-old Nicholas A Bradley, charged with burglary, theft of a firearm.
- 16-year-old Brent A. Bradley, charged with burglary, theft of a firearm.
- 16-year-old Rodney Milliman, charged with burglary, trafficking in stolen property.
- 17-year-old William Justin Millima, charged with burglary, theft of a firearm.
Deputies said there may be more arrests in the case. Images provided by police show the guns seized from the victim, not the stolen guns.
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