Man allegedly threatens firefighters, merchant

Published 11:35 am Friday, June 20, 2014

SUQUAMISH — A Poulsbo man was arrested  June 11 after an alleged rage-filled stroll through downtown Suquamish.

Justin Levi Moegling, 30, is charged with malicious harassment and second- degree burglary. He allegedly threatened locals and repeated a statement made by Elliot Rodger, who killed six people and then himself May 23 in Santa Barbara, California.

The morning of June 11, Moegling allegedly walked up and down Augusta Avenue, threatening violence toward passersby and knocking over trash cans. He made his way to a nearby grocery store, where he cornered two firefighters and the store owner, according to a report by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

Moegling allegedly threatened violence toward the three men. The firefighters were able to get by the aggressor and run back to the fire station, but Moegling chased after them, according to the report.

The firefighters alerted law enforcement. Meanwhile, Moegling allegedly walked around the fire station, jumped a fence, and made his way to the back door. Moegling reportedly attempted to kick in the back door while screaming further threats, saying he was going to kill them and using racial slurs.

A firefighter told deputies that Moegling repeated a threatening statement made by Rodger.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly thereafter. Moegling reportedly ran into the nearby woods, but deputies tracked him down and took him into custody.

The sheriff’s report notes that Moegling was uncooperative and was placed in a crisis room at the Kitsap County Jail, instead of immediately being booked.

Moegling was being held June 19 in Kitsap County Jail. Bail has been set at $50,000. He is expected to be in Kitsap County District Court on June 25 and

July 10.