HARRISBURG, PA — State and federal authorities announced the arrests of seven juveniles and an 18-year-old in connection with a series of gun store burglaries and alleged illegal firearm transfers that resulted in the theft of nearly 80 guns across Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Attorney General Dave Sunday, joined by the Allegheny County Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the investigation uncovered what officials allege was an organized effort to burglarize gun shops, steal firearms, and traffic them illegally.
Law enforcement officials allege the group was responsible for the theft of 79 firearms from gun stores in Allegheny County and Ohio. Authorities said many of the firearms have been recovered, but approximately two dozen remain unaccounted for.
“These crimes alarmed the community — and for good reason. Any and all thefts of firearms should be perceived as direct threats to public safety,” Sunday said. “I am very pleased that, along with our partners, we can say today that we know who was responsible and we are holding them accountable with very serious charges.”
Because most of the defendants are juveniles, Sunday said his office is limited in what can be discussed publicly. “Due to many of these being juvenile allegations at the moment, I am limited in what can be said publicly, but I assure Pennsylvanians that we are not treating these crimes as child’s play,” he said.
According to investigators, the charges stem from a burglary at Allegheny Arms in Bethel Park on January 13, 2025, during which 56 firearms were stolen. Police allege members of the group also attempted to burglarize two additional gun stores in Allegheny County on the same day. On January 19, 2025, authorities allege the group broke into Expert Outfitters in North Lima, Ohio, stealing 23 firearms. Officials said stolen vehicles were used during the burglaries and attempted break-ins.
Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns said the alleged crimes had far-reaching consequences. “The actions of these individuals have already had tragic consequences and endangered countless lives in our community,” Kearns said. “We are grateful for the teamwork and cooperation from all of the agencies involved in this investigation and we will continue to work to remove all of these stolen guns from our streets.”
ATF Philadelphia Field Division Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree emphasized the broader public safety concerns tied to gun store burglaries. “Stolen guns threaten our communities’ safety,” DeGree said. “They fuel illicit trafficking and are used by violent criminals to terrorize our neighborhoods.”
DeGree said the investigation led to the recovery of 55 stolen firearms and credited close coordination between federal, state, and local agencies. “This case should be a warning to those who think our gun shops are an easy target to burglarize,” he said.
Seven defendants, all males between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time of the alleged crimes, were charged as juveniles. Chalais Ramey, 19, is currently the only defendant charged as an adult. Corrupt organization charges related to the Ohio burglary were filed this week, with authorities alleging the organization was based in and conspired within Allegheny County. Ohio officials are continuing their own investigation into the burglary and related offenses.
All criminal charges are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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