SEQUIM — Three men were arrested but no one was injured following a home invasion in Sequim that was described as a result of drug trafficking.
Esco I. Rhodes, 32, of Kent, Eloy Estrada-Morales, 44, of Tacoma and Maryah R. Faletego, 40, of Tacoma were arrested and booked early Friday morning into the Clallam County jail for investigation of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault and third-degree theft.
“We were fortunate no one was injured,” Clallam County Undersheriff Lorraine Shore said. “It was an unusual occurrence having the people come in from out of the area.
“We were fortunate that (Deputy Martin Brazier) was able to catch them before they left the county. He did a fantastic job when that call came in,” she said.
Sheriff’s deputies and Sequim police officers responded about 5:15 a.m. Friday to a reported home invasion robbery in the area of Riverside Road in Sequim, a Sheriff’s Office press release stated.
The reporting party called 9-1-1 and said people wearing face masks and carrying guns had shown up at the house in a white SUV, the press release stated. The reporting party was in the house, but the suspects were in the unattached mother-in-law apartment where they were holding three victims at gunpoint.
The suspects told the victims to empty their pockets and hand over their belongings, which included their phones and car keys, according to the press release. The suspects allegedly stole power tools and power tool batteries, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The suspects attempted to flee, but they were stopped by Brazier.
The press release said the initial investigation suggested the crime was a result of drug trafficking.
A search warrant obtained for the suspects’ vehicle yielded one .380-caliber handgun, one .25-caliber handgun, keys stolen from the one of the victims, a cell phone stolen from one of the victims and the power tool batteries, according to the press release.
First-degree robbery and first-degree burglary are Class A felonies, punishable by up to life imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine, plus restitution and assessments. Second-degree assault is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine, plus restitution and assessments.
Third-degree theft is a gross misdemeanor, unless what is stolen is worth more than $750, which is punishable up to 364 days in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached by email at brian.gawley@peninsuladailynews.com.