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Sheriff’s office: 2 brothers stabbed after interrupting catalytic converter theft

KITSAP COUNTY, Wash. — Two brothers were stabbed after interrupting an attempted catalytic converter theft early Tuesday, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Sheriff’s deputies and Bremerton police officers responded at around 3 a.m. to the 3900 block of state Highway 3 for a report of an assault.

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The brothers, 54 and 51, were at Beto’s Tire Services when they saw a 36-year-old suspect trying to steal a catalytic converter from a car parked in front of the business.

Both brothers work at Beto’s Tires in Bremerton, according to Tedo Santiago. One of the brothers is Santiago’s father, while the other is his uncle.

“They were just hanging out, then heard the dogs barking,” Santiago said. “Dogs come up, hear the saws going. They open the front door, and (the suspect) was there.”

One of the brothers was armed, and they confronted the suspect while another person at the scene called 911.

The suspect was originally cooperative, and the brothers put the gun away. They then armed themselves with a floor jack handle while waiting for police, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s department.

“While waiting, the suspect suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed each of the brothers. The victim who was holding the jack handle used it against the suspect to stop the attack,” the Facebook post continued.

“(The suspect) seemed really calm and, for that same reason, my dad put (his gun) away thinking, ‘OK, we’re just going to wait for the cops now. We don’t have to worry about anything,’” Santiago said.

Police said they arrived at the shop in less than five minutes and detained the suspect.

The brothers were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries but are reported to be in stable condition.

Santiago said his father was stabbed in the chest, while his uncle was stabbed in the back. He also said his father was still recovering, while his uncle was back at the tire shop.

“He’s in the back hanging out, working on his cars. He’s ready to work,” Santiago said while smiling.

The suspect, Blake Zakades, was also taken to a hospital with injuries and was later released. He was then arrested and booked into Kitsap County Jail for investigation of two counts of first-degree assault.

Zakades is being held in the Kitsap County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Prosecutors said investigators found the following items in his possession or in his car: illegal switchblade, methamphetamine, bolt cutters, wire cutters and zip ties.

Zakades is set to be back in court on June 16.

Police are continuing to investigate.

Sgt. Ken Dickinson with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office said there’s been a significant increase in catalytic converter thefts countywide.

“We’ve had increased instances, incidents of catalytic converters being stolen,” Dickinson said. “It has picked up in just the last three to four months.”

One Arrested for 2 Counts of Assault-First Degree KCSO Deputies and Officers from the Bremerton Police Department...

Posted by Kitsap County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, May 18, 2021