DENVER – Two Denver men were arrested late September for the August 10, 2017 theft of firearms from the Cabela’s in Lone Tree, Colorado, Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and ATF Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston announced. A third man also charged with the Cabela’s theft is currently in state custody on unrelated charges. These arrests as well as many others are part of local law enforcement’s efforts, working with the ATF and the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office, to address multiple burglaries of gun stores throughout Colorado. To date, 16 individuals have been charged federally for theft of firearms from federal firearms licensees. Those cases are pending.
“These are no property crimes. These are life and death crimes. Stolen guns go straight into the hands of criminals, not hunters and target shooters,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer. “The people who bring this violence into our communities will be introduced to federal justice, up close and personal, for a long time.”
“Investigating these thefts is ATF’s top priority in Colorado,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston. “We will be relentless. If someone is involved, we will find them. A potential ten-year prison sentence is a significant punishment for two minutes of crime.”
In 2017 alone, over 400 firearms have been stolen. Arrests for those thefts also have been made in connection with thefts from South Platte Tactical gun store in Adams County, Top Dollar Pawn Shop in El Paso County, Best Way Sales in Baca County, Shooter Ready in Jefferson County, Dragon Arms in El Paso County, and Parker Arms in Jefferson County. Those charged by indictment with thefts from those firearm licensees include:
Cabela’s
On August 10, 2017, Darnell Hudgens, age 2,3 of Denver, Colorado, Giavanni Edward Miles, age 21, residence unknown, and Kendall Crockett, age 23, of Denver, Colorado, with others, conspired to steal firearms from Cabela’s in Douglas County, City of Lone Tree. On August 21, 2017, those same defendants stole firearms from the Cabela’s in Thornton, Colorado. The defendants are charged by indictment with possessing stolen firearms, conspiracy to steal firearms from a federal firearm licensee, and disposal of the weapons.
South Platte Tactical
On January 8, 2017, Gaven Alfonso Orozco, age 20, of Adams County, Colorado, and Jordan Martinez, age 19, of Denver, Colorado, conspired to and stole firearms from the South Platte Tactical gun store in Adams County. The defendants broke into the store and removed the firearms. Those involved in the theft stole a vehicle, drove to the gun store location, stole the firearms, and fled. The indictment states that on January 13, 2017, Orozco possessed, concealed, stored and disposed of stolen firearms. The firearms were then distributed amongst members of the conspiracy. The defendants face charges including possession of stolen firearms, conspiracy to steal firearms, theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.
Top Dollar Pawn
On July 10, 2017, Adam Paul Mowery, age 41, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, stole firearms from Top Dollar Pawn Shop in El Paso County. He then possessed, concealed, stored and disposed of the stolen firearms. On July 25, 2017, Cole Truitt Anderson, age 26, of Florissant, Colorado, possessed, concealed, stored and disposed of stolen firearms. Anderson also possessed a stolen sawed-off shotgun. Both defendants face charges of possession of stolen firearms, possession of firearms by a prohibited person, possession of unregistered firearms.
Dragon Arms
On August 27, 2017, Jennifer Scoggin, Camron Specht, Ryan Sharpe, and Gian Carlos Vance, allegedly stole firearms from Dragon Arms in El Paso County, Colorado, where defendants stole multiple handguns, shotguns, and rifles. The defendants face theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.
Best Way Sales
On August 10, 2017, Calvin Terrell Stafford, age 23, of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Napoleon Williams, age 23, of St. Louis, Missouri, conspired to steal firearms from Best Way Sales, located in Baca County, in the city of Springfield, Colorado. They traveled from Missouri to Colorado, identified and cased Best Way Sales, and on August 11, 2017, broke into the store and stole firearms. They then drove the stolen firearms back to Missouri. The defendants face charges of conspiracy, theft of firearms from an federal firearms licensee, and possession of stolen firearms.
Shooter Ready
On November 10, 2016, Viet Trinh, age 18 of Thornton, Colorado, possessed, concealed, stored and disposed of stolen firearms. Trinh conspired with others to steal firearms from Shooter Ready gun store in Denver. After the weapons were stolen, they were distributed to members of the conspiracy. Trinh was the get-away-driver for the Shooter Ready burglary. On December 17, 2016, Trinh conspired with others to steal firearms from Parker Arms in Jefferson County, City of Wheat Ridge. He again was the get-away-driver. He faces possession of stolen firearms, conspiracy, and theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.