Police seize weapons, drugs, stolen bulletproof vests in raid

YAKIMA, Wash. -- For the second time in three months, Yakima police have recovered body armor stolen from a federal agent.

Two bulletproof vests, along with two assault rifles, other firearms and illegal drugs, were seized during a raid Tuesday at a house in the 1100 block of South Naches Avenue.

Lt. Mike Merryman said the raid was staged by Yakima Police Department's gang unit, which had reason to believe an 18-year-old at the home was illegally in possession of an AK-47. They had a search warrant.

The teenager wasn't home, Merryman said, but his father, a convicted felon, was there. He's now in custody.

During the search officers found the AK-47, Merryman said. He said police also found an SKS .223-caliber assault rifle, a .22 caliber rifle, a 30-30 rifle, two Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistols and a .22 caliber pistol.

Also seized were eight grams of cocaine, 18 marijuana plants, three quarters of a pound of processed marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an unspecified amount of cash.

Topping it off, officers also found two bulletproof vests belonging to the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Merryman said the vests, also known as soft body armor, were reported stolen several months ago in a vehicle break-in. He stressed no firearms were stolen.

In November, gang unit officers recovered a bulletproof vest that was discarded by a suspected drug dealer after a surprise encounter in a dark alley on North Sixth Street.

Yakima police said that vest had belonged to a DEA agent. However, the supervisor of the Yakima DEA field office denied it.

As for the ownership of the two vests recovered Tuesday, Yakima ATF supervisor Jesse Summers did not return a call seeking comment.

* Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Ross Courtney contributed to this report.