Three arrests have been made in connection with the break-ins of Jupiter police cars and the theft of firearms, according Sgt. Scott Pascarella, spokesman for the Jupiter Police Department.
The joint-investigation between the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Jupiter Police Department led to the arrests on Wednesday of 23-year-old Blake Walters, 32-year-old John Bauman, and 24-year old Christopher Vachaviolos.
While Walters and Bauman have been charged with grand theft of firearms and dealing in stolen property, Christopher Vachaviolos was charged with loitering and prowling and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon as well as seven counts of burglaries.
After Vachaviolos arrest, police armed with a search warrant entered his home and found 15 firearms, including high-powered rifles, a large amount of ammunition and magazines as well as other stolen police items such as: a gas mask, handcuffs, police batons, flashlights, badges, bags and gun cases, and a camera.
Between December 2012 and May 2013 the Jupiter Police Department investigated the burglaries of seven vehicles involving the theft of firearms. The majority of the vehicles were stolen in and around Abacoa.
Sgt. Pascarella stated with these arrests a total of 22 high-powered rifles and other firearms were recovered and numerous burglaries were cleared.
Bauman, Vachaviolos and Walters are currently in custody in the Palm Beach County Jail.