UPDATE: Federal Way police report that the suspect, Robert Gene Chapman, turned himself in at about 9 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Federal Way Police Department. The suspect was booked at King County Jail for investigation of robbery and burglary. The original report can be seen below.
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Mirror staff reports:
Federal Way police detectives are searching for a suspect wanted in connection with a violent home invasion robbery.
Police say Robert Gene Chapman, 42, was one of three suspects who robbed an elderly man’s residence on June 5.
According to police, three suspects burst through the door of the victim’s home in the 34000 block of 21st Avenue SW after one suspect asked to use the phone.
One suspect grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground in the bedroom, then stomped on his head. The suspect covered the victim with blankets and sheets and spray-painted the victim’s eyes with black paint, according to a police report. The victim suffered bruises and lumps, but refused medical treatment, the report said.
The suspects stole numerous items including firearms, jewelry, radio-controlled helicopters, precious rocks, checks and nearly $22,000 in cash. The police report noted that the victim’s hearing aid was stolen along with wedding rings that belonged to the man and his deceased wife. Much of the stolen property was sold to pawn shops in the area, the report said.
Two of the suspects were arrested Aug. 11 in Fife. They were identified as Tiffany L. Barton, 30, and Jerry L. King, 54. King has multiple felony convictions that included kidnapping, burglary and forgery. Barton has no known felony convictions, according to police.
Robert Gene Chapman is 6 feet tall and 280 pounds. He is a transient whose last known address was in Pierce County. Anyone with information on Chapman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Lt. Tom Robinson at tom.robinson@cityoffederalway.com or (253) 835-6818.