An FBI SWAT team seized guns and other weapons from alleged Neo-Nazis in a raid Tuesday in Washington state after the suspects were accused of stealing weapons and armor from the U.S. Army.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division asked the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office for aid Monday, accusing the suspects in the case of violent robbery and the theft of military weaponry and other equipment, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said on Facebook.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington told The Associated Press that Army CID and the FBI were investigating an assault Sunday at Joint Base Lewis-McCord north of Olympia, Washington.
The FBI SWAT team found rifles posted at the windows of the Lacey residence, and inside found more rifles, an MG42 machine gun, grenade launchers, ammunition, body armor, ballistic helmets and Nazi paraphernalia, Sheriff Sanders said, with 35 firearms seized overall.
Law enforcement has not specified exactly which weapons the suspects are accused of stealing from the Army.
Two suspects, who authorities have not publicly named, were booked into the Thurston County Jail on firearms charges. Federal charges against them are expected.
Sheriff Sanders said the suspects were “actively involved in Nazi White Nationalist efforts.”
