The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department has released more names of those involved with the recent burglary attempt in Lake Tapps.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported Deputy James Oleole, 32, a five-year veteran, was placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure when a deputy fires a gun.
The department also identified the injured burglary suspect as Illie Sirbu, 25. Sirbu was released from Tacoma General Hospital Feb. 9 and placed in the Pierce County Jail on suspicion of robbery and burglary.
Deputies responded to a call about 2:35 a.m. Feb. 6 in the 1400 block of Tacoma Point Drive East after a resident heard someone break into her garage. She locked herself in the bathroom and called 911.
When deputies arrived they encountered two burglars and a third waiting in a white Honda Accord.
According to sheriff’s reports, Sirbu and 23-year-old Ion Ungureanu of Renton were in the vehicle, while the other suspect ran into a nearby wooded area.
As the vehicle was driven towards Oleole, he shot into the vehicle, hitting both occupants. Ungureanu, the car’s driver, was shot and killed.
The car crashed into a wooden fence at a nearby residence. Ungureanu was dead at the scene, while Sirbu was arrested and transported to the hospital by East Pierce Fire and Rescue medics.
The third suspect remains at large.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office reported autopsy results showed Ungureanu died from a gunshot wound to the chest.