The criminal track record of a man with 19 convictions arrested Tuesday for the alleged theft of a Honolulu police officer's gun has put him in federal jurisdiction.

A federal warrant was issued for Garret Carreira, 38, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Carreira, also known as Scott Lee Vesper, has used 11 variations of the two names, according to Hawai'i Criminal Justice Center records.

Fifteen of his 19 convictions since 1996 are for felony offenses, including 13 for first-degree burglary. The burglary counts, combined with second-degree robbery and auto theft convictions, qualify him for enhanced federal prosecution.

If convicted on the federal charge, Carreira faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison.

Carreira spent last night at the police department's central receiving cellblock on a $250 traffic warrant and was scheduled to be turned over to federal authorities today.

Crime Reduction Unit officers from District 8 (Kapolei-Wai'anae) and District 3 (Pearl City) followed up on a tip and tailed Carreira to a Makakilo townhouse complex on Palahia Street and arrested him without incident in the parking lot.

A gun, magazine clip and handcuffs were found in a warrant search of a pillowcase Carreira was carrying. The items were stolen Monday from a police officer's car parked at his home. Still missing are a bulletproof vest, baton and the officer's service belt.

Police allegedly also recovered illegal drugs during Carreira's booking.

"This falls right into the national commitment of Project Safe Neighborhood," said Jordan Lowe, senior special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive. "The whole emphasis is to take violent criminals with firearms off the streets."

Carreira is scheduled to make his initial appearance before a federal magistrate today.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.