Posted on 02/18/2003 3:36:27 PM PST by Poser
TAMPA, Fla. - Deputies dressed in SWAT gear surrounded a home for about six hours after receiving a report that there was a cache of about 200 guns and a hand grenade inside the house, authorities said.
Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies evacuated about 15 neighboring homes Monday because two bank agents foreclosing on the house reported seeing numerous firearms and explosives inside, along with some canned goods.
It was later determined that the resident, Robert Walters, 46, is an avid gun collector. The weapons, which included an inactive hand grenade and an inactive mortar, were all legal, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. No charges were filed.
Officers arriving at the house just before noon Monday did not know whether Walters or anyone else was inside, so they used a bullhorn to try to persuade Walters to come out.
Deputies later found Walters through relatives. He was not in the home, but Walters told deputies they could search the home because he didn't have anything illegal.
During the ordeal, deputies dressed in SWAT gear and carrying rifles walked the streets as residents looked on from front yards and street corners.
Walters bought the home in 1977, property records show. It was foreclosed upon in January by Chase Mortgage Services, court records show.
No, you read it wrong.
From the article linked:
"Walters bought the home in 1977, property records show. It was foreclosed upon in January by Chase Mortgage Services, court records show. Walters also owes $26,100 in county code violations for junked cars.
Bank foreclosed on it. The city is not taking it.
Target practice. We practice on all kinds of 'cans...
(Old I know and not funny at all. Sorry, couldn't resist.)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.