Feds: Man Admits To Stealing US Agent’s Rifle From Vehicle

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a 26-year-old man has admitted stealing a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent's rifle and selling it to a Rochester drug dealer.

The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports (http://on.rocne.ws/2fSFr4P ) court documents filed by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives say Russell Lawrence confessed to stealing a .223-caliber Colt M4 and a police vest from an unlocked car driven by a DHS agent living in suburban Brighton.

Officials say the agent had left the gun on the back seat of a marked DHS vehicle. The agent thought he had locked his car, but officials say the rear doors were apparently unlocked.

Authorities say Lawrence told ATF agents he sold the rifle and vest to a drug dealer in Rochester for $750 in cash and heroin.

The theft occurred in September.

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Information from: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, http://www.democratandchronicle.com

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]