Community Corner

Police: Meriden Man Arrested After Trying to Sell Stolen Assault Rifle

Investigation began earlier this year and may lead to more arrests, police say.

 

A Meriden man has been arrested after police say he attempted to sell a stolen assault rifle.

Waldemar Nieves, 26, of 243 Kensington Avenue, was arrested at his home on Dec. 19 and charged with possession of a stolen firearm and hindering prosecution.

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According to Meriden Police Sgt. Darrin McKay, Nieves was taken into custody after police served a search and siezure warrant at the address and found a Bushmaster model XM15 .223 Assault Rifle underneath a bed within the home.

Investigators also found two 30 round magazines, a 10 round magazine, and 211 loose .223 rounds within a gun case as well as 17 rounds of .380 handgun ammunition.

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McKay said the assault rifle had been stolen out of the town of Coventry back in 2009.

Police began an investigation last summer that led them to the stolen weapon, which at the time was in the possession of Ralph Falcon, 22, of 76 Arch Parkway.

Police said Nieves was holding the gun for Falcon, who is now incarderated on unrelated charges, and that Nieves attempted to sell the weapon on Wednesday.

"The gun was shown to another unidentified male who evidently did not make the purchase," McKay said.

When Nieves brought the gun back to his home members of the Meriden Detective Division maintained surveillance on the home while a search warrant was obtained.

The case is still under investigation and additional arrests may follow, police said.

Detectives are working to identify the unidentified male involved with the attempted purchase of the weapon and more arrests could follow.

Nieves is being held on a $150,000 bond and is due in court on Jan. 13.


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