Blaine man found with firearms arrested on suspicion of stalking ex-girlfriend

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A Blaine man was charged with felony stalking in Bellingham after police saw him near his ex-girlfriend’s apartment with multiple guns. Thomas Franklin Lingle, 57, was arrested in the early morning hours of December 30, 2024 after circling his former girlfriend’s apartment complex, where Bellingham police officers saw an AR-style rifle and tactical vest on the back floorboard of Lingle’s vehicle.

Lingle was initially arrested for DUI, and gave officers consent to retrieve the unsecured firearm from his car. Officers then discovered multiple other firearms in the car, as well as binoculars, and “a rifle with a loaded magazine, a handgun, shotgun shells, three total loaded handgun magazines, and seven additional loaded rifle magazines,” according to the affidavit of probable cause (APC).

The victim reported to police that she had broken up with Lingle a few months earlier. In the days leading up to the arrest, the victim told Lingle she did not want to be contacted by him, including she would call police if he continued to try to contact her, according to the APC.

The night of the arrest, Lingle had attempted to call the victim 18 times and visited the apartment multiple times. According to the APC, the victim told police Lingle had “threatened to engage in suicide by cop” in front of her while at work. Court documents stated that Lingle owned over 100 firearms, had military training and said he would “go down fighting.”

The arrest was deemed a domestic violence incident, and Lingle was ordered to abide by a no-contact order for the victim. As part of the no-contact order, Lingle was ordered to surrender all firearms and surrender his concealed pistol license to the Bellingham Police Department.

Lingle was released from Whatcom County Jail on December 31, 2024 after posting a $35,000 appearance bond.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) 24-hour hotline is available at 360/715-1563 or 877/715-1563.

Lummi Victims of Crime has a 24-hour helpline at 360/312-2015.

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