Teen Charged With Stealing High Powered FBI Rifles In Andover
BOSTON (CBS) – A 16-year-old was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing two high-powered FBI guns in Andover.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
Stolen FBI Guns Found
The weapons, a Colt M16-A1 Rifle and a HS Precision Series 2000 Sniper Rifle, were stolen from a FBI SWAT vehicle parked at an agent's home in Andover sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning during a series of vehicle break-ins in the neighborhood.
Andover Police Commander Charles Heseltine said investigators found fingerprints on the FBI vehicle and another vehicle that was broken into. Those prints were run through a national database and that led them to the teenager.
Heseltine said the guns were turned into Lawrence Police around 2 a.m. Friday. He would not say who turned the weapons in.
The teen was arrested nine hours later, at 11 a.m., and brought to the Andover police station. He's charged with larceny and breaking and entering. He will be arraigned Friday in Lawrence Juvenile Court.
The FBI put out a public plea for help finding the weapons, even offering a reward of up to $20,000.
Heseltine said a person will be receiving that reward, but he refused to give any details about the person or how the weapons were found.
The FBI agent who stored the weapons in the vehicle has not been identified.
According to Massachusetts law regarding the storage of large capacity rifles or shotguns, no weapons are allowed in a vehicle, unless the weapon is unloaded and contained in a locked trunk or locked case.
The fine ranges from $500-to-$5,000. Law enforcement are exempt.
According to the FBI, their policy allows active SWAT members to store firearms overnight in vehicles to facilitate readiness and operational needs.
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