Soldier sentenced to 6.5 years for stealing M-16 rifles
Private was found guilty of swiping assault rifles from southern army base with help of 17-year-old boy. Family: We're extremely ashamed
A private in the IDF was sentenced on Wednesday to six-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of stealing two M-16 carbines from an army base near Kibbutz Nitzanim in southern Israel some six months ago.
In one instance he was joined by a 17-year-old minor, supplied him with a uniform and a Military ID in order for the boy to enter the military base with ease. The carbines themselves were never recovered.
The military judges from the GOC Army headquarters (IDF), led by Colonel Nir Aviram, stated in their sentencing that the soldier's actions "expressed a desire, initiative, planning ,attempted execution and desire for results despite several failures."
The indictment consists of two counts of weapons theft. The first weapons theft took place in February of 2008, when the private arrived at the base to receive his orders regarding his next assignment. The private took a weapon he found on the floor of one of the tents at the base, disassembled it and placed it in his army bag. Despite the arrest of the individuals that received the weapon, the weapon itself was never recovered.
The second incident took place about a month later, when the private was approached by a civilian who promised him a car if he would steal three carbines for him. For this the private asked the help of a 17- year-old boy. The private supplied the teen with a uniform and a military ID. The two managed to enter the base and walked around for several hours and left after not being able to find what they were looking for.
They returned to the base that same evening and continued their search, eventually succeeding in finding and stealing a weapon. Once the weapon was in their possession, the two headed towards the bases perimeter fence, climbed it and fled. The private the teen about $200 for him to return home, and then hid the weapon in a duffle bag near a tree in the area.
Unfortunately for the private, an officer from the base located the teen while he was trying to return home and handed him over to the police, which led to the private's arrest. During questioning the soldier confessed to the theft of the weapons and expressed regret over his actions.
While testifying in court, the soldier's mother stated that their family was extremely ashamed, so much so that they have attempted to hide the incident from the soldier's younger brother, who is about to join the IDF himself.
The judges said that the offense committed by the soldier was "inexcusable," adding "a weapon that was created to harm people poses a greater threat when it is relieved from those who were charged with its care."
The tribunal mentioned that they took into consideration the fact that the soldier was cooperative during the investigation and that he had confessed to the thefts, but also took into consideration the fact that the acts were premeditated and that a minor was involved in the crime.
