Middleboro Police and ATF Recover 15 Stolen Firearms Following Multi-State Investigation

MIDDLEBORO (WBSM) — A man was arrested and 15 stolen firearms recovered after Middleboro Police teamed with federal authorities to capture the suspect.

According to Middleboro Police, the firearms were stolen during a break-in at a residence in that town on July 25.

Police began investigating with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as well as other law enforcement partners.

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High-Tech Surveillance Cracks the Case

“Through a combination of surveillance, digital forensics, cell site location data, ALPRs (automated license plate readers), privately owned cameras, interviews, and other investigative techniques, Middleboro detectives developed James Delano, a convicted felon, as a suspect in the theft,” police said.

Multi-State Investigation Leads to Gun Recovery

On July 28, Middleboro Police detectives and agents and task force officers from the ATF’s Bridgewater Field Office executed a search warrant at Delano’s Middleboro residence. They seized ammunition and a cell phone they said belongs to Delano.

Further investigation led the authorities to a residence in Cold Brook, New York belonging to members of Delano’s family. ATF agents from Bridgewater and from the Syracuse Field Office executed a search warrant at that residence on August 13, and recovered five of the firearms reported stolen in Middleboro, along with multiple rounds of ammunition that had been buried in a wooded area near the residence.

Further interviews by the ATF in the Cold Brook area led to the discovery of the other 10 stolen firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition. Police said all 15 firearms that were stolen have now been recovered.

Federal Charges Filed Against Suspect

Delano has been taken into custody, police said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Delano with being a felon in possession of ammunition and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Courtesy Middleboro Police