2nd Arrest Made in AR-15 Theft from State Police Cruiser: Update

Milford, CT- Police arrested a New Haven man who was part of a conspiracy to sell an AR-15, bulletproof vest and 30-round magazines that were stolen from a State Police cruiser that was parked in Milford.

Investigation started March 8 after a number of vehicles were broken into in Milford, according to police. One of the affected vehicles was a State Police cruiser that was parked at the home of a trooper first class.

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An AR-15 rifle, bullet proof body armor and two fully-loaded 30-round magazines were taken from the cruiser.

Nearby police found a Nissan Altima that was stolen out of New Haven. The same day members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force located a stolen Ford Fusion in New Haven that was taken from Milford.

The bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives managed to recover the items stolen from the police cruiser, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Details of how the items were recovered are being withheld due to another ongoing investigation.

Prints and DNA were taken off the AR-15 and came back with a result for Bobby Battle, 25, of New Haven. Police got more information on April 21 from Howard Bookert, 18, who was arrested for allegedly robbing the West Haven Post Office and a Hamden bank.

Bookert told investigators that he and Leondre Crockett, 18, smoked three ounces of marijuana one morning. He asked Crockett how he got the marijuana and Crockett told him it was partial payment along with $20,000 for selling a bulletproof vest and a big gun, according to the warrant.

Bookert thought that Crockett and James Lee, 18, may have stolen the items, but he wasn’t sure.

Lee was arrested May 20 on an unrelated active arrest warrant. Lee is Battle’s half brother and they live in the same residence. A stolen firearm was recovered during a search, according to the warrant.
Lee admitted to being involved in stealing the items from the police cruiser, according to the warrant.

He said that he, Crockett and Travis Ingram of New Haven went to Milford in the stolen Nissan Altima to steal items from vehicles. The three split up and Ingram came back with a bag that contained the AR-15 and other items.

Ingram then drove the stolen Ford Fusion back to New Haven and Lee was dropped off with the stolen AR-15 and other items, according to the warrant.

Battle may have handled the rifle when he contemplated selling it, but Lee advised him not to get involved.

Lee said that Ingram sold the weapon, but Battle admitted to selling the weapon, vest and magazines to a buyer he contacted, according to the warrant. He said he believed he sold them for $1,100 or $1,200.

Battle later learned the items were stolen from a cop car and became upset.

Crockett and Ingram denied involvement.

Ingram and Crockett are charged with possession of an assault weapon, transport of an assault weapon, two counts possession of a high-capacity magazine, third-degree larceny, stealing a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of body armor, seven counts of conspiracy, trafficking a firearm and conspiracy to traffic a firearm.

Each man has a total $350,000 bond.

First image of Ingram, second of Crockett.