13 Arrested, Accused Of Stealing Weapons

Six Marines from Camp Lejeune and seven civilians were arrested Thursday in a nationwide investigation into the theft of military weapons, including rocket launchers, machine guns, mines, mortars and grenades.

Federal undercover agents bought large quantities of weapons and ammunition during an 18-month operation, said William Perry, special agent in charge of the FBI’s office here.

Much of the ordnance was stolen from Lejeune, a sprawling Marine base in eastern North Carolina.

Investigators executed five search warrants Thursday morning before the arrests. Four of the searches took place in North Carolina; the fifth occurred at the home of a Marine in Millis, Mass., about 30 miles southwest of Boston.

Authorities cordoned off the area around the suspect’s home and seized at least 10 boxes and crates with military markings, said Jeff Morrow, assistant special agent.

The green metal boxes found in the basement were filled with mortars, grenades and other ammunition, Morrow said. The suspect, whose name was not released, recently had moved to Millis with his wife and children after a transfer from Lejeune.