Veterans Arrested After Violent Hammer Attack, Attempted Theft at Army Ranger Base

Two Army veterans have been taken into custody following a violent attempted robbery at the Ranger Compound on base Sunday night. The incident resulted in one soldier being hospitalized and uncovered a troubling cache of weapons along with white supremacist paraphernalia.

A federal criminal complaint reveals that Cpl. Andrew Hundley encountered two masked individuals dressed in Ranger PT uniforms who were in the act of stealing equipment from the compound. A confrontation ensued when he insisted that they reveal their identities.

 A soldier was attacked by an assailant who struck him in the head with a hammer. In a dramatic turn of events, Hundley, despite suffering from significant blood loss, managed to disarm the assailants momentarily. However, the situation escalated when one of the attackers revealed a knife, compelling Hundley to release them.

Authorities apprehended suspects Levi Austin Frakes and Charles Ethan Fields the following day in Lacey, Washington. Authorities report that the individuals allegedly tried to pilfer more than $14,000 worth of military equipment. A hat bearing the label "Fields" has played a crucial role in identifying one of the suspects, who previously served as an infantry sergeant with deployments to Afghanistan.

In a recent operation, FBI and Army CID agents searched a residence, uncovering a significant cache of illegal weapons. The findings included an MG42 machine gun, short-barreled rifles, explosives, and 3D-printed suppressors. Additionally, agents discovered Nazi flags, SS insignia, and a collection of extremist literature at the scene. Authorities found $24,000 in cash along with equipment believed to have been stolen over two years.

Frakes and Fields operate a business named Sovereign Solutions, which promotes tactical gear and training, featuring a logo reminiscent of Nazi SS lightning bolts. A shirt available for purchase featured the bold statement: “Professional War Crime Committer.”

Federal charges have been filed against them for robbery, assault, and theft of government property, alongside state charges related to illegal weapons and explosives. Both individuals have been placed under a bail amount of $500,000.

Authorities are actively pursuing their investigation into potential extremist connections and broader theft networks.

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