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Video helps deputies ID suspect, tie him to gun thefts

Security footage captures a suspect staring directly into a camera during an attempted break-in in South Kitsap.

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said the video is so good, it took only hours to identify the man as Christopher Harper Smith Junior, 38.

"Originally when things started surfacing people identified him very quickly as, I guess you could say, a problem child,” said Lori Vincent, South Kitsap resident.

Now, authorities need to track him down.

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"We have a heavy duty warrant for residential burglary,” said Deputy Scott Wilson, Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.

Wilson said Smith's criminal track record spans from South Kitsap down to Dupont.

According to deputies, Smith broke into a home Oct. 17 and stole two handguns and a rifle.

"This is one of our major concerns. Now that the weapons are missing we can only assume that Mr. Smith Jr. still has those weapons and we are concerned that there could be a situation involving a violent confrontation,” said Wilson.

That same day, investigators said he tried breaking into two other South Kitsap homes.
According to the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office, Smith is about 6' feet, 3 inches tall and weighs roughly 215 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair and was last seen driving a silver 2003 Acura 3.2TL with a license plate that reads: BOW2258.

Smith has multiple warrants out for his arrest, including a Kitsap County outstanding felony warrant for residential burglary, a Washington State Department of Corrections no bail felony warrant for escape from community custody, and gross misdemeanor warrants from the City of Dupont and the City of Fircrest for vehicle prowl, second-degree.

"He needs help, not just being punished, but to get help so that we can be safe and he can be safe,” said Vincent.

Anyone who knows Smith’s location is asked to contact the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office at 360-271-6395 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).