Two former military members have been arrested following a violent break-in at an Army Ranger facility on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington late Sunday night.
According to a federal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, the suspects, identified as Levi Austin Frakes and Charles Ethan Fields, allegedly assaulted a soldier with a hammer during an attempt to steal military-issued gear from a secure building at the Ranger compound.
The suspects managed to steal military equipment, including body armor, ballistic helmets, and communications gear valued at approximately $14,000. However, most of it was left behind when they dropped their rucksacks while fleeing the base, the complaint states.
Investigators used base access logs and surveillance footage to identify the suspects. One of the men reportedly dropped a hat labeled “Fields,” which helped the authorities confirm their identities. The two were later arrested at their residence in Lacey, Washington.
During a search of the property, law enforcement recovered a cache of weapons and equipment, including 35 firearms, explosives, body armor, and additional military-grade items. Authorities also discovered Nazi flags, white supremacist literature, and other extremist materials.
Fields served in the U.S. Army from 2017 to 2021. The complaint states that he was assigned to the Ranger Battalion around 2021 and likely had access to the base because he is a veteran.
Details about Frakes’ military service were not immediately available.
According to the complaint, the two suspects operated a business called Sovereign Solutions, which sold tactical gear and reportedly featured Nazi-style branding.
Frakes and Fields are facing federal charges of robbery, assault, and theft of government property. They are currently being held in Thurston County Jail on $500,000 bail.
