Drizzt
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Authorities Seize Weapons Cache From Home
POSTED: 7:17 am EST June 21, 2005
UPDATED: 7:26 am EST June 21, 2005
OAKVILLE, Ind. -- Authorities seized several assault rifles, submachine guns, ammunition and explosives from a former Army soldier's property and said they believed he was a threat to the community.
They also found extremist literature, including a book written and signed by Randy Weaver, who gained fame after waging the Ruby Ridge standoff against federal authorities in 1992, the sheriff said. The weapons seizure at Jack Wilkerson's home was likely the largest in Delaware County history, Sheriff George Sheridan said.
Police recovered an estimated $30,000 worth of guns, 2,000 pounds of ammunition and 436 pounds of explosives.
"We're talking mortar shells, artillery rounds, tank rounds and projectiles," Sheridan said.
Wilkerson, a 64-year-old retired U.S. Army electronics specialist, lived by himself in a run-down, single-story house that was protected by an alarm system and infrared surveillance in the 230-person town 10 miles south of Muncie, police said.
Deputies discovered the cache Saturday after family members asked police to check on Wilkerson, who had threatened to kill himself, Sheridan said.
But neighbors said they knew he was a gun collector and eccentric.
"He was no threat to us," Paul Covington, a next-door neighbor with three young children, told The Star Press of Muncie.
Others said police exaggerated the importance of the discovery and are hurting Wilkerson's reputation. Wilkerson has not been charged and was at Ball Memorial Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, Sheridan said.
The sheriff's department bomb squad spent four hours blowing up the explosives at a shooting range Sunday but saved the ammunition in case it would be necessary for future investigations or court proceedings, Sheridan said.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/4633168/detail.html
POSTED: 7:17 am EST June 21, 2005
UPDATED: 7:26 am EST June 21, 2005
OAKVILLE, Ind. -- Authorities seized several assault rifles, submachine guns, ammunition and explosives from a former Army soldier's property and said they believed he was a threat to the community.
They also found extremist literature, including a book written and signed by Randy Weaver, who gained fame after waging the Ruby Ridge standoff against federal authorities in 1992, the sheriff said. The weapons seizure at Jack Wilkerson's home was likely the largest in Delaware County history, Sheriff George Sheridan said.
Police recovered an estimated $30,000 worth of guns, 2,000 pounds of ammunition and 436 pounds of explosives.
"We're talking mortar shells, artillery rounds, tank rounds and projectiles," Sheridan said.
Wilkerson, a 64-year-old retired U.S. Army electronics specialist, lived by himself in a run-down, single-story house that was protected by an alarm system and infrared surveillance in the 230-person town 10 miles south of Muncie, police said.
Deputies discovered the cache Saturday after family members asked police to check on Wilkerson, who had threatened to kill himself, Sheridan said.
But neighbors said they knew he was a gun collector and eccentric.
"He was no threat to us," Paul Covington, a next-door neighbor with three young children, told The Star Press of Muncie.
Others said police exaggerated the importance of the discovery and are hurting Wilkerson's reputation. Wilkerson has not been charged and was at Ball Memorial Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, Sheridan said.
The sheriff's department bomb squad spent four hours blowing up the explosives at a shooting range Sunday but saved the ammunition in case it would be necessary for future investigations or court proceedings, Sheridan said.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/4633168/detail.html
