2 arrested in death of man found in forest near Olympia

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Two suspects have been arrested in the death of a man whose body was found in a state forest south of Olympia.

Thurston County sheriff’s Sgt. Cameron Simper says detectives believe 18-year-old Dakota Walker was shot to death to keep him quiet about certain crimes.

The Olympian newspaper reports that 29-year-old Vince Garlock and 31-year-old Jonathan Bartosek were arrested in Olympia following tips from the public. Walker had been in a “domestic relationship” with Bartocek.

Simper said Thursday that the three men arrived in Thurston County from Ohio in August and committed burglaries and identity theft. Investigators believe Walker was planning to report the suspects’ criminal activity to law enforcement.

Investigators believe Walker was lured to Capitol State Forest, about 10 miles southwest of Olympia, where he was shot. His body was discovered Oct. 20.

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Information from: The Olympian, https://www.theolympian.com