Man arrested in New York for theft of Army Reserve weapons
A man was arrested in New York and faces theft and weapons charges for allegedly taking 16 weapons from a US Army Reserve Center in Worcester, according to an FBI criminal complaint.
James Walker Morales, 34, was taken into custody in Long Island, according to The Boston Globe.
The armory’s gun vault had been broken into on Saturday night. During an inventory the next morning, workers discovered that 10 9mm handguns and six M-4 rifles were taken, the FBI said. The weapons were valued at over $1,000, the FBI said. Officials released video and photos earlier this week of a man loading duffle bags into a black vehicle over the course of more than five hours.
Officials said the suspect gained access to the weapons vault by using power tools to cut a hole in its ceiling. DNA samples taken from near that drilling location matched that of Morales, according to the FBI.
Separately, Morales also faces child rape and indecent assault charges in Middlesex Superior Court, according to the affidavit. He was released on condition that he wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, the FBI said.
Preliminary evidence showed that his bracelet was at the scene of the Worcester armory during the break-in, and that he cut off his bracelet on Monday morning, the FBI said.
Morales had previously visited the Worcester armory last Thursday, personnel told the FBI.
“There is no indication that these missing weapons are connected to any kind of terrorism threat whatsoever at this time,’’ an FBI spokeswoman said.
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