A quiet holiday visit turned into a nightmare for a couple living on the Key Peninsula. When Barbara Henderson and her husband arrived at their wooded Lakebay property after Christmas, they discovered that a massive amount of their equipment and personal belongings had vanished. What followed was not just a story of loss, but also one of community support, persistence, and resilience.
What was stolen from the Lakebay property
The scale of the theft was shocking. According to Henderson’s detailed Facebook post shared on December 27, the missing items were worth tens of thousands of dollars. The stolen property included two trailers, a Kubota tractor, chainsaws, brush cutters, pallet forks, a logging winch, solar panels, pruning saws, cast iron pans, hand tools, and many other valuable items.
The couple immediately reported the incident to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities confirmed that deputies were actively investigating the case, and Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County later issued a public bulletin asking for tips related to the theft.
How social media helped the search
Instead of staying silent, Henderson chose to take action. She began posting on social media almost every day, sharing photos of the missing items, descriptions, and updates. Her posts quickly reached people across the Key Peninsula and beyond.
This online effort made a real difference. Dozens of people contacted her with suggestions, tips, and stories of their own experiences with theft. One local resident even spotted one of the stolen trailers on the side of the road.
He contacted the Sheriff’s Office and stayed with the trailer until deputies arrived. His wife recognized it after seeing Henderson’s posts online.
In another case, a stranger messaged Henderson and advised her to call a specific phone number. The person who answered told her where the stolen Kubota tractor could be found. Although the tractor was damaged and had to be towed home, the couple was still relieved to recover it.
What police have recovered so far
Deputies served a warrant at a suspect’s residence on January 2 and recovered several of the stolen items. However, according to the Sheriff’s Office, they have not yet established probable cause to charge the suspect specifically for the burglary or theft. The suspect was arrested for other alleged crimes.
Law enforcement officials also acknowledged that Henderson’s consistent social media updates played a helpful role in generating community tips and assisting investigators in locating the suspect.
Despite these efforts, Henderson shared that the vast majority of their property is still missing. Many machinery parts, chainsaws, brush cutters, toolboxes, and other important tools have not been recovered. She continues to monitor platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist in case any of their belongings appear for sale.
A community response that brought hope
Throughout this difficult experience, Henderson has been open about her emotions. She shared that she dislikes being called a victim and believes strongly in taking action instead of feeling powerless. Her frustration over the theft has been balanced by gratitude for the kindness shown by strangers.
She has publicly thanked the many people who offered tips, shared her posts, and checked their surroundings. She also expressed appreciation for Deputy Nathan Betts and other Sheriff’s Office staff who supported the case.
Her story reflects a wider issue too. Many people in the community reached out to her because they had experienced similar thefts. That shared understanding created a powerful sense of connection and collective support.
Tips to protect your property from theft
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office also shared practical advice that can help others reduce the risk of similar crimes. These include:
- Installing quality surveillance cameras
- Using strong lighting around buildings and equipment
- Setting up alarm systems
- Posting “Smile, you’re on camera” signs
- Using tracker devices on expensive machinery
- Keeping records of serial numbers
- Taking clear photographs of valuable items
- Maintaining good insurance coverage
- Using fences to limit access
- Keeping valuables out of public view
- Considering guard dogs for extra protection
These steps cannot guarantee safety, but they can make properties harder targets and improve the chances of recovery if theft does occur.
