Two people have been arrested for allegedly stealing nine firearms from an Onalaska residence last month.
Brandy Francis Westfall, 39, and Benjamin Clayton Whitney, 28, both of Chehalis, are accused of stealing four rifles, three muzzleloaders, two handguns and power tools from a house in Onalaska on June 19.
The homeowner told police he discovered the items were missing when he returned home from a “short outing,” according to court documents. Law enforcement identified Westfall and Whitney as suspects in the burglary after obtaining images of the suspect vehicle and a list of people associated with that vehicle, according to court documents.
When contacted by law enforcement, Westfall “initially denied any involvement” in the burglary but later allegedly admitted to going to the victim’s home. She reportedly stated “that Whitney stole the items and that she did not take part,” though she later allegedly admitted to “swapping some of the items into another suspect’s vehicle,” according to court documents.
“She’s made it very clear she denies any wrongdoing,” said Westfall’s attorney, Rachael Tiller, during Westfall’s preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on July 6.
Whitney allegedly admitted to bringing Westfall to the victim’s home, but “indicated that Westfall stole the items and that they met up with another suspect and gave him many of the items,” according to court documents.
Law enforcement were able to corroborate portions of the suspects’ stories, including locating a stolen trash can and blanket that were used to transport items, according to court documents.
Westfall and Whitney were both arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail on July 5. They have each been charged with one count of first-degree burglary, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, and one count of theft of a firearm.
While Judge J. Andrew Toynbee acknowledged that the involvement of firearms made the allegations “very serious offenses,” he determined Wednesday that $10,000 bail each was “sufficient for community safety.”
Both have arraignment hearings scheduled for Thursday, July 14.
