About 100 soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord remained on lockdown Sunday as the Army continued its investigation into the theft of what is believed to be hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sensitive items like night-vision goggles and weapon attachments.
The items stolen from a supply area include laser sights, rifle scopes and other optical equipment.
After a routine inventory Wednesday could not account for the items, an infantry company was placed on lockdown. The 100 members of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division are not allowed to leave their barracks or dining hall without an escort until the matter is resolved.
I Corps spokesman Major Chris Ophardt said Sunday that some restrictions had been lifted, meaning family members could visit and soldiers were being granted the use of a telephone.
It’s unclear how long the soldiers will remain locked down.
“They’re there until the Criminal Investigative Division thinks they have enough information or can’t get any more information,” Ophardt said. “They’re going to stay there until it’s over.”
Kevin Baker, a former 4th Brigade soldier, began circulating a petition Sunday hoping to end what he calls “collective punishment for officers’ incompetence.”
He also posted a statement written by current and former members of the infantry company to www.answer coalition.org claiming the unit’s leaders were negligent and the enlisted members shouldn’t be punished.
“Can you imagine putting your life on the line and after you come back, they instantly treat you like a criminal and deny you your basic rights,” Baker said. “I think they feel very betrayed.”
The 4th Brigade has been to Iraq twice; it currently doesn’t have deployment orders. It is one of the base’s three Stryker combat brigades.
Ophardt said the stolen items were accounted for during December’s inventory and few people had access to them, especially since the majority of soldiers left the base during the holidays.
The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the missing equipment.
Baker said a soldier on lockdown told him the stolen items are worth about $630,000. Army officials have not released an estimate.
Stacia Glenn: 253-597-8653
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.