Someone Stole a Sniper Rifle And an M-16 Out Of a SWAT Team Vehicle

Photo via FBI in Boston

UPDATE 11/08: According to reports, the guns were turned in to police in Lawrence. A juvenile is allegedly in custody in Andover.

EARLIER: Two high-powered weapons were stolen from a government vehicle this week, and the FBI is offering a $20,000 reward to anyone with information that will help them relocate the guns.

According to the Boston Division of the FBI, sometime between the night of November 6, and early morning the following day, someone broke into a SWAT emergency response vehicle parked in Andover, Massachusetts.

Officials from the FBI said during that same time frame, items were stolen from other vehicles parked at nearby homes in the area.

The weapons stolen from the SWAT vehicle were a Colt M16-A1 Rifle and an HS Precision Pro-Series 2000 Sniper Rifle.

“The FBI continues to devote significant resources to locate these weapons, determine who stole them and remove them from the possession of the unauthorized individual [or individuals] who may have them,” according to a statement from the FBI. “All local, state and federal law enforcement agencies were quickly made aware of the theft through various means including the Commonwealth Fusion Center and Boston Regional Intelligence Center.”

Members of the Violent Crimes Task Force, which is composed of the Somerville, Malden, Saugus, Cambridge, Boston and Massachusetts State Police are also investigating the case.
Anyone with information should call the FBI Boston office at 617-742-5533 or the Andover Police Department at 978-475-0411.