Man arrested, accused of stealing Elkhart officer’s rifle

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Jesse Leal arrested for stealing Elkhart police officer's rifle

Jesse Leal (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Aug 13, 2008 at 1:44 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 13, 2008 at 1:46 PM EST

ELKHART — A man accused of stealing a full-automatic rifle from a Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department squad vehicle in June was arrested last week.

Jesse M. Leal, 32, of Elkhart, has been charged with possession of a machine gun, a Class C felony, and theft, a Class D felony. He faces up to 11 years if convicted. His bond has been set at $150,000.

Authorities say they received information Leal had the M-16 military-style rifle, which was locked and secured in the squad vehicle, while they were investigating a "Mexican cocaine importation and distribution ring" that has so far resulted in the arrest of five Mexican men during the past two weeks.

Along with the recovery of the weapon, investigators also recovered the ammunition and magazines that were stolen.

The officer’s vehicle was parked outside his home on the south side of Elkhart when it was broken into.

Friday, Aug 15 at 2:47 PM anon wrote ...

Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry. – Thomas Jefferson now as far as the stealing charge, go for it...

Friday, Aug 15 at 1:24 PM Noodles wrote ...

Makes you wonder, if it's so bad for a civilian to possess an evil machine gun, why do all the police have them? There's no reason that the police need a firearm classified as a machine gun, not any more than anyone else. Is the officer going to be charged with transferring a machine gun? "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

Friday, Aug 15 at 11:47 AM Stoner wrote ...

The article states, "M-16 military-style rifle". The M-16 is a military rifle. If an M-4 carbine (shortened version of the M-16) was involved, then the writer should have stated so rather than perpetuate the public ignorance on "assault rifles" and semi-automatic rifles based on military rifles.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 3:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I wonder if he, or those like him in prison, know that they are the way they are because of brain damage.

Thursday, Aug 14 at 11:27 AM Stick wrote ...

I hope he enjoys the diet in prison. He can drop some pounds by eatin' some prison bread pudding. Man, this country is full of these parasitic losers.

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 9:35 PM ODDS MAN wrote ...

10 bucks says he still lives with his mom! Definatly a TURD. And what was he going to do try to sell it or trade it for some new porn mags. LOL

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 8:52 PM Anonymous wrote ...

glad he got caught looks like he thinks he is a cool dude, they will get him in jail and he wont look so SMUG anymore...ha-ha

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 5:11 PM Trebor wrote ...

He looks so innocent, and smart.

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 3:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I guess no one in the area will be able to get their cocaine, now. The current laws keep the police and judges, etc. in jobs and keep criminals in circulation. There's plenty more where this one came from. People in bad neighborhoods have low standards, so they don't complain, and people who live where they don't have to see it are indifferent.

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 3:23 PM tob wrote ...

Ouch he'll be going away for a while. This is your brain on drugs any questions.

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 2:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What a Turd!

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 1:57 PM Anonymous wrote ...

The suspect is thinking "Man, can we get this over with? I'm missing Oprah."

Wednesday, Aug 13 at 1:55 PM typical wrote ...

typical loser type. They are everywhere...

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