Police arrest two more teens in Las Cruces gun store burglary
Las Cruces police have arrested two additional 16-year-olds in connection with the Nov. 22 burglary of a local gun store, bringing the total number of juveniles charged to six.
Six juveniles have now been charged in connection with the Nov. 22 break-in at Strykers Shooting World, where multiple firearms were stolen.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police have arrested and charged two additional teenagers in connection with a Nov. 22 burglary at a local gun store, bringing the total number of juveniles arrested in the case to six.
Police said both of the most recent arrests involved 16-year-old boys, one taken into custody last week and another arrested Monday, Dec. 8. The two face the same felony charges as four other teenagers arrested Nov. 24.
Those earlier arrests included one 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old. All six juveniles were charged with aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property exceeding $1,000, larceny involving firearms valued at more than $2,500, tampering with evidence and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19. Police said one of the 16-year-olds arrested Nov. 24 faces an additional count of receiving stolen property.
Because the suspects are juveniles, police are not releasing their names.
The burglary occurred around 2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Strykers Shooting World, located at 415 S. Valley Drive. Investigators believe six to eight teenage boys used a stolen red Kia Forte to ram through an eastside gate and a roll-up door to gain access to the business.
Police said multiple firearms were taken during the burglary. The suspects left the damaged red Kia at the scene and fled in another stolen vehicle, a gray Kia Forte.
An LCPD patrol officer who was nearby reported hearing the store’s alarm and discovered the break-in before the alarm company notified police. Detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Division, working with the Street Crimes Unit, Patrol officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisted in identifying suspects.
Police said some of the stolen firearms have been recovered and the investigation remains ongoing. Additional arrests are possible.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspects is asked to call Las Cruces police at 575-526-0795. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County by calling 1-800-222-8477.
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