FBI: Convicted Felon Caught Buying Body Armor from China

A bulletproof vest from Hong Kong sent the FBI and Homeland Security to the home of a convicted felon on Friday night.

The description on the package sent to Waheed Islam, 43 --- also known as Walter Missouri Jr. -- said it contained a $10 cotton knit vest. However, the package to arrive at 25 Seamen Circle in Manchester held body armor, police said, and Islam’s criminal past prohibits him from buying it.

Islam told authorities he bought the body armor because he was interested in starting up his own bodyguard or security company.

Islam served jail time for violent assaults and robberies, and when he was in jail in 2008, he wrote to another inmate looking to get his hands on it, said authorities.

"It's a war out here and Satan's soldiers are on the attack. So we must prepare ourselves!" he wrote, according to an affidavit.

The FBI was tipped off to the buy when a customs officer found body armor inside a package shipped from Hong Kong, officials said.

"If that person were to commit a crime and was in possession of body armor, obviously it would make it much more difficult for the police department to apprehend the person, so it becomes (an issue of) safety to the public," said Mark Moran, owner of The Finest and Bravest LLC, a store that supplies equipment to emergency personnel.

Moran said his store and the state have strict policies on who can purchase the bulletproof vests. They can only be sold to legitimate law enforcement, military or emergency workers, and the sale has to be in person.

Neighbors were surprised by what happened.

"I just saw the cars came, and they took long time right there, and they was looking in the shed right there, and they just took him and they left," said Reina Quintana, who lives next door.

"To hear that FBI is here, quite a bit odd. Homeland Security, even quite a bit odder," said Jonathan Sanzo, who lives down the street.
 

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