A gang of juveniles who broke into a Checotah gun store on July 12 and made off with 16 handguns are in the custody of their parents and awaiting criminal proceedings in juvenile court.
The five, ranging in age from 12 to 17, were arrested within hours of the burglary of the Lake Eufaula Tactical & Supply, 309 W. Gentry Ave.
A 12-year-old and 14-year-old were identified as the possible instigators of the crime spree.
Four of the youths are from Checotah or nearby. One is from Sallisaw.
According to police reports, two of the youths drove a truck stolen from the Texanna Road area to Sallisaw the night of July 11 to pick up a friend. They then drove to Checotah and picked up the others and went to Muskogee.
In Muskogee they attempted to break into a jewelry store, pawn shop and a dispensary. They reportedly broke into a second dispensary in Muskogee but failed to take anything.
They then returned to Checotah with the intent of stealing guns.
Their first effort was Richie’s Pawn Shop, but they were unable to enter the building because of bars on the windows and door.
They then drove to Lake Eufaula Tactical & Supply, where they parked in an alley.
Police said the boys broke a front window and three of them entered the building and took the handguns.
The break-in was captured on a video camera at city hall.
City Police, Lighthorse Police, sheriff ’s deputies and ATF agents joined in the investigation and the search for the juveniles and the pickup truck they were in.
The truck’s owner was found and from there the young gang members began to fall oneby- one as lawmen identified suspects and made contact with them and their parents.
One of the teens is on probation through the Cherokee Nation District Court.
Others were recognized by school resource officers in Checotah.
All of the stolen weapons were recovered.
