Four teens arrested in gun store burglary
Las Cruces police arrested four teenagers in connection with a weekend burglary at a local gun store that resulted in several firearms being stolen.
Police say suspects used stolen vehicles to force entry into Strykers Shooting World and made off with multiple firearms.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police arrested four teenagers, ages 14 to 16, in connection with a weekend burglary that led to multiple firearms being stolen from Strykers Shooting World.
Three of the boys — one 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds — face charges of aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property over $1,000, larceny involving firearms over $2,500, tampering with evidence and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19.
A fourth boy, 16, faces the same charges plus an additional count of receiving stolen property valued at more than $2,500 but less than $20,000.
Police cannot publicly identify the teens because of their ages.
The burglary occurred about 2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the gun store located at 415 S. Valley Dr. Investigators believe six to eight teenagers used a stolen red Kia Forte to smash through an east-side gate and roll-up door to gain entry.
The suspects left the damaged red Kia at the scene and fled in another stolen gray Kia Forte.
An LCPD patrol officer in the area heard the store’s alarm and discovered the break-in shortly after the suspects fled. Additional officers arrived within minutes and began the investigation.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division, assisted by the Street Crimes Unit, Patrol and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, worked to identify the suspects.
Police detained the four teens on Monday and executed a search warrant that led to the recovery of several stolen firearms. Authorities turned all four over to the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are possible.
Anyone with information about the burglary or the suspects involved should call police at 575-526-0795. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County at 1-800-222-8477.
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