Sirens: Golf course burglary, homicide investigation

Restaurant at Tahoma Valley Golf Course burglarized

Yelm Police officers responded to the Tahoma Valley Golf Course around 7:04 a.m. June 3 when the reporting party claimed the restaurant on the golf course had been burglarized.

Upon arrival, police officers learned that an unidentified person cut the chain to the restaurant’s exterior door and gained inside access. The suspect stole an iPad, a cash register with $250 cash and a $250 pre-written check, along with some “snack food,” according to police reports.

Reports added that, based on surveillance, the burglary occurred around 2:50 a.m. when an unidentified white male, on a mountain bike, broke into the facility.

There is probable cause for his arrest for second-degree burglary, second-degree theft and second-degree malicious mischief.

Body found in “shallow grave” near Nisqually River leads to homicide investigation

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Brooks announced on Friday, June 7, that detectives found a deceased man, later identified by Thurston County Coroner’s Office as Robert Erwin, buried in a shallow grave near the Nisqually River.

In a press release, Brooks wrote that detectives received tips over the past few weeks about Erwin, who was reported missing and believed to be murdered and buried near Yelm. Despite following up on the tips, Erwin was not located until June 4 while deputies were pursuing another lead.

Erwin was identified two days later, and his family was notified about his death. TCSO’s press release described the victim as a transient man in his early 40s from the Yelm area.

As the investigation related to the homicide continues, detectives are investigating several different rumors surrounding Erwin’s death. Anyone with information or leads about Erwin or his death can contact detectives@co.thurston.wa.us .