http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28919576/
Flames shot into the air as New Jersey State Police destroyed gunpowder found, they say, with a haul so huge they needed forklifts and a box truck to take it all away.
State police seized what they think is the largest cache of firearms and ammunition most of them have ever seen.
It was found in a house, two trailers and even an underground bunker on a piece of property in rural Franklin Twp., Gloucester County, State Police said.
Investigators say they discovered more than 250 guns, a hand grenade and close to 500,000 rounds of ammunition.
“Gun shops don’t have half-a-million rounds,” said Detective Sgt. Mike Peterson with N.J. State Police.
State police say an investigation into two recent burglaries in Salem County led them to the property on Monday.
That’s when police say they encountered the homeowner, 59-year-old Brian Hinkel, a former Vineland Police Officer.
“He tried to slam the door on our detectives and we were able to follow him into the house. He ran into the kitchen and grabbed a loaded handgun off the kitchen counter and our detectives were able to disarm him at that point and place him under arrest,” explained Sgt. Stephen Jones with the State Police.
Hinkel was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Authorities say several guns were visible in the house. After getting a warrant, a full-fledged search began on Tuesday and continued into Thursday.
Neighbor Antoinette Ragone, who saw what police hauled away, was stunned. “I’m shocked and I’m upset because I live here, I have a 14-year-old son, 15-year-old nephew with me.”
State police say the evidence they found connected Hinkel to two men charged with the burglaries. One of those men has been arrested. The other, Peter Monteleone, Jr., is still on the loose according to investigators.
Why would a former police officer have an arsenal like that? “We do believe he had a firearms purchase permit and he was legally able to possess firearms, but whether or not the firearms themselves are legal is a different question,” said Sgt. Jones.
Hinkel was free on Thursday after posting 10-thousand dollars bail. Authorities say the process of sorting and identifying everything they found could take days.
didn't see this posted yet. sorry if it's doubling up a thread somewhere.
same old detail-free reporting from a big news network. as far as the article shows, it seems the assault charge stemmed from trying to defend himself when detectives came to his door? a lot of conjecture on the part of the police....i.e., "we don't know if he was allowed to possess all these." why wouldn't he be? is there some reason the police assume that? no details about why he wouldn't be allowed? supposedly he was linked to two men who committed burglaries. how exactly? or even how at all? again, no details at all from the police.
and of course....the concerned neighbour who has children. what exactly is the importance of her statement? was this "crazy" guy going to use all 250 of his firearms at once? boy, that would be scary. he also had one hand grenade. was it real? was it functional? ONE?.....really? if you look at pictures of this area, it appears to be somewhat if not fairly rural.
this is new jersey after all. the collective mentality of fear and surprise and worry and helplessness there is sickening. then again, maybe this guy was a real danger................or not. i'll stick my neck out and vote on the side of the owner at this point. at any rate, this could be me next. my six guns and 2,000 rounds of ammo(mostly 22) would certainly be considered an arsenal as well, and the media would again provide precious few details.
Flames shot into the air as New Jersey State Police destroyed gunpowder found, they say, with a haul so huge they needed forklifts and a box truck to take it all away.
State police seized what they think is the largest cache of firearms and ammunition most of them have ever seen.
It was found in a house, two trailers and even an underground bunker on a piece of property in rural Franklin Twp., Gloucester County, State Police said.
Investigators say they discovered more than 250 guns, a hand grenade and close to 500,000 rounds of ammunition.
“Gun shops don’t have half-a-million rounds,” said Detective Sgt. Mike Peterson with N.J. State Police.
State police say an investigation into two recent burglaries in Salem County led them to the property on Monday.
That’s when police say they encountered the homeowner, 59-year-old Brian Hinkel, a former Vineland Police Officer.
“He tried to slam the door on our detectives and we were able to follow him into the house. He ran into the kitchen and grabbed a loaded handgun off the kitchen counter and our detectives were able to disarm him at that point and place him under arrest,” explained Sgt. Stephen Jones with the State Police.
Hinkel was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Authorities say several guns were visible in the house. After getting a warrant, a full-fledged search began on Tuesday and continued into Thursday.
Neighbor Antoinette Ragone, who saw what police hauled away, was stunned. “I’m shocked and I’m upset because I live here, I have a 14-year-old son, 15-year-old nephew with me.”
State police say the evidence they found connected Hinkel to two men charged with the burglaries. One of those men has been arrested. The other, Peter Monteleone, Jr., is still on the loose according to investigators.
Why would a former police officer have an arsenal like that? “We do believe he had a firearms purchase permit and he was legally able to possess firearms, but whether or not the firearms themselves are legal is a different question,” said Sgt. Jones.
Hinkel was free on Thursday after posting 10-thousand dollars bail. Authorities say the process of sorting and identifying everything they found could take days.
didn't see this posted yet. sorry if it's doubling up a thread somewhere.
same old detail-free reporting from a big news network. as far as the article shows, it seems the assault charge stemmed from trying to defend himself when detectives came to his door? a lot of conjecture on the part of the police....i.e., "we don't know if he was allowed to possess all these." why wouldn't he be? is there some reason the police assume that? no details about why he wouldn't be allowed? supposedly he was linked to two men who committed burglaries. how exactly? or even how at all? again, no details at all from the police.
and of course....the concerned neighbour who has children. what exactly is the importance of her statement? was this "crazy" guy going to use all 250 of his firearms at once? boy, that would be scary. he also had one hand grenade. was it real? was it functional? ONE?.....really? if you look at pictures of this area, it appears to be somewhat if not fairly rural.
this is new jersey after all. the collective mentality of fear and surprise and worry and helplessness there is sickening. then again, maybe this guy was a real danger................or not. i'll stick my neck out and vote on the side of the owner at this point. at any rate, this could be me next. my six guns and 2,000 rounds of ammo(mostly 22) would certainly be considered an arsenal as well, and the media would again provide precious few details.
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