It was an apparent home invasion robbery kit, Seattle police said, containing a mask, flex ties and sawed-off shotguns. Whatever its purpose, the item led to felony charges for two roommates that authorities said had stolen $10,000 worth of goods including stolen electronics, keyboards and tripods.

After the keyboards and tripods were discovered to be missing from the warehouse where the men worked, sheriff's deputies raided their home and found an arsenal of 17 shotguns, pistols and rifles. The kit and a small amount of drugs were also found in the raid, police said. One man's fingerprints were allegedly found on a bag containing the suspected home invasion items.

The roommates were suspected of, but not formally charged with, executing home invasion-style robberies of certain area drug traffickers and dealers. Both pleaded guilty to the federal gun charges they were charged with, with one man probably headed for federal prison for possessing unregistered weapons. Both men also faced state theft-related charges. The man who was likely going to prison wrote a letter of apology for his actions to the judge in the case and promised in the letter to stay away from guns once he was released from prison.

A felony offense in Seattle can mean jail time in addition to big fines. A felony charge such as a felony drug charge or murder charge may bring decades in prison. For individuals accused of crimes like felony theft and felony assault, a lawyer may be able to offer valuable assistance. An attorney may be able to seek a plea bargain after allegations of felony assault or felony DUI, for example, a deal that could influence the court to lessen some charges and penalties.

Source: KING 5, "Seattle men caught with 'home invasion robbery kit'", September 27, 2013