Frederica man charged with firearm theft in Harrington

A Frederica man was arrested after police say he broke into a home and stole several firearms which he then sold to a local pawn shop.

According to the Harrington Police Department, on Tuesday officers arrested 32-year-old Thomas L. Wester, of Frederica, after police were contacted about a theft of firearms.

On Monday, officers recieved reports that a series of firearms were stolen out of a home on North West Street in Harrington.

During the course of the investigation, police determined that within the last month, an unknown suspect entered the victim’s home and stole three shotguns, one cross bow, and other hunting equipment.

Wester reportedly pawned one of the stolen weapons at a local pawn shop, according to police. As the investigation continued, officers responded to the pawn shop to recover one of the stolen guns and when officers arrived Wester was sitting in a parked vehicle outside the pawn shop.

Wester was taken into custody and transported to the Harrington Police Department for processing.

Police determined that Wester was the suspect who stole the items out of the residence and then sold them at local pawn shops or to other subjects on the street.

Mr. Wester was charged with Three counts of Theft of a Firearm, Theft $1,500 or Greater, Theft Under $1,500, Conspiracy Second Degree and Theft by False Pretense Under $1,500. He was arraigned and released on $4,700 unsecured bond.

One of the shotguns and the crossbow were been recovered.

Police will be continuing their investigation and more arrests are expected.