Police: NY soldier stole 2 rifles, shotgun in '11

January 18, 2013 @ 3:22 am

SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (AP) - State police say a U.S. soldier charged with stealing three guns from an upstate New York home two years ago had recently returned from serving a tour in Afghanistan.

Troopers announced Thursday that 21-year-old Luke Aulita of the Schoharie (skoh-HAYR'-ee) County town of Wright was charged earlier this month with criminal possession of stolen property.

Police say Aulita was already in the Army when he stole a .30-06 rifle, a .243-caliber rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun in March 2011. Authorities say they weren't able to charge him until after he returned from Afghanistan to Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Wash., where he's a private in a field artillery unit with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division.

Troopers say Aulita voluntarily returned to eastern New York to face the charges.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Miracle
    Seattle native is only person ever cured of HIV and returns home to boost the cure

  • Back In Business
    A temporary bridge span across the Skagit River is set to open Wednesday

  • High Altitude Upgrade
    The state's highest outhouse atop Mount Rainier is getting a badly needed upgrade
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments