Fake gun was used in robbery, Bremerton Police say; two charged

BREMERTON – Two men were charged with robbery in the first degree after they allegedly cooperated in an armed robbery near the intersection of Naval Avenue and Eighth Street just before midnight on Jan. 12.

BREMERTON – Two suspects were charged with robbery in the first degree after they allegedly cooperated in an armed robbery near the intersection of Naval Avenue and Eighth Street just before midnight on Jan. 12.

Kyle S. Bryceland, 18, of Bremerton, and Christopher Jerome Jones, Jr., 24, of Silverdale, were both charged in Kitsap County District Court.

According to the Bremerton Police Department, the two victims in this robbery – who were both adult men – were in contact with the suspects on Facebook.

At some point, the suspects and the victims decided to “hang out.” Bryceland drove a silver four-door Lexus toward the residence near Naval Avenue and Eighth Street. With him was Jones, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, and a third man, who was sitting in the left rear passenger seat. Just before arriving, Jones exited the car.

Bryceland then picked up the two victims, drove a short distance and stopped in an alley. Bryceland told the victims that the reason for the stop was that a gym bag in the back seat needed to be moved to the trunk.

Bryceland and the third man who was with him exited the car. Jones, who had been waiting at the location and was wearing a mask, then allegedly pointed a handgun through the car’s open window and demanded money and property from the two victims who had remained in the car. One victim immediately fled on foot while the other turned over a cell phone and umbrella before also getting out of the car and running away.

Bremerton officers spoke to the victims and a description of the suspect car was broadcast. Within minutes, the car was located by Kitsap County Sheriff’s Deputies at a gas station at State Route 303 and Fairgrounds Road. All occupants were taken into custody and the vehicle was later searched after a search warrant was obtained.

A BB-type replica handgun was found under the front seat of the car.

“In Washington State, replica firearms perceived to be real are considered as real firearms for purposes of prosecution,” BPD stated.

Additionally, detectives located property and papers from at least three separate incidents of car prowling in the area. Credit cards, cell phones, and other personal property including passports were recovered. An amount of methamphetamine was also located in the car.

BPD stated it would contact victims of car prowls who may have had their property recovered.

“We see a lot of criminal incidents that seen to be starting with contact on social media,” said BPD Chief Steve Strachan.

“Please be very careful about giving anyone on social media information about where you live or anything that may lead them to be able to victimize you.”

The two suspects are being held in the Kitsap County Jail on $100,000 bail.

 

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