Holly Hays

holly.hays@indystar.com

An Indianapolis man was arrested by Greenwood police on Aug. 15 with items that police believe suggested he was planning an act of domestic terrorism.

Greenwood Police Department Officer Eric McElhaney first saw Christopher C. Byrne, 31, driving suspiciously through the parking lot at Greenwood Park Mall, where a recent spree of car break-ins have occurred. McElhaney then saw Byrne commit an unspecified traffic violation and stopped him.

When asked for his identification, Byrne refused and said he was a "sovereign national," according to a news release.

Byrne was identified as a habitual traffic violator under Indiana law and was arrested.

While searching his car, officers found a Ruger 10-22 rifle and 100 rounds of ammunition, as well as bottles of bleach and ammonia. A scope and hand-made suppressor were attached to the rifle.

When combined, bleach and ammonia form a toxic gas that is combustible if mixed in a sealed container.

Police: Plan for armored car robbery prompted thefts from squad cars

Byrne was convicted of theft in Marion County in August 2015 after officers searched his apartment and found stolen police equipment, including an AR-15 rifle stolen from the car of Greenwood Officer Michelle Richardson in Oct. 2014. Richardson's marked police car was set on fire after the theft.

At the time of the traffic stop, Byrne was facing a jury trial for previous charges from the Johnson County prosecutor's pffice. At the request of the Johnson County prosecutor, Judge Cynthia Emkes ordered a $1 million bond on Byrne's habitual traffic violator charge and revoked bond on the already pending charges.

Byrne pleaded guilty to pending charges of carrying a handgun without a license with a felony conviction and felony habitual traffic violation on Aug. 22.

He will face up to six years in prison at his sentencing on Nov. 3. The U.S. attorney's office also is reviewing possible federal firearms and toxic chemical charges.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.

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