WORCESTER - Authorities have arrested a man for stealing weapons from the Lincoln W. Stoddard U.S. Army Reserve Center in Worcester.

Former Army reservist James W. Morales, 34, is now facing federal charges for the theft of 6 M4 rifles and 10 M11 handguns from the North Lake Avenue building in Worcester earlier this week.

Authorities said in federal records that Morales was able to break in through a kitchen window, then climbed to the top of the weapons vault and cut a hole through the ceiling. He allegedly used a power saw and pry bar to cut through the ceiling, authorities said.

Records show that on Nov. 12, Morales was at the U.S. Army Reserve facility to obtain copies of his discharge papers.

According to the paperwork, Morales was on an electronic monitoring device in connection with a pending case out of Middlesex Superior Court, but on Nov. 16 he most likely cut off the monitoring device.

The device was able to place him in the area of the building at the time of the robbery.

Authorities said Morales will be brought to a New York federal court Friday. He remains in custody.