Four charged in gun thefts

Published 11:08 pm Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Three people have been arrested and warrants are outstanding on another in connection with the theft of weapons from Dashiell’s Half-round Showroom on Holland Road last month.

Mary Bannister

Chase Brooks, Brian Campbell and Mary Bannister all have been charged with various offenses related to the firearms that were taken from Dashiell’s during two burglaries in the first half of October, according to a city spokesperson.

Police have issued warrants for a fourth individual, Kendall Pittman, Suffolk spokeswoman Debbie George said in an email Tuesday evening.

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Brooks has been charged with two counts of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of grand larceny of a firearm, two counts of grand larceny with intent to sell and two counts of possession of burglary tools, according to George.

Campbell has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy — grand larceny with intent to sell and receiving a stolen firearm.

Chase Brooks

Bannister was charged with conspiracy — grand larceny with intent to sell, and receiving a stolen firearm.

Upon apprehension, Pittman faces charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, grand larceny of a firearm, grand larceny with intent to sell and possession of burglary tools, George said.

The October burglaries had police especially worried because of the number of rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders that were stolen. In fact, the theft of 15 long guns in such a short period attracted the attention of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which had offered a separate reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the thefts.

“These firearms pose a potential danger to innocent citizens, and investigators are seeking information that would aid in the resolution of the investigation,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Edgar A. Domenech stated in a press release announcing the reward.

Brian Campbell

“We know that in many instances, stolen firearms end up in the hands of violent criminals, who use them to commit additional crimes.”

Three of the stolen weapons were recovered at a Virginia Beach residence when police executed a search warrant. Police still are attempting to locate the other firearms. The arrests came after many weeks of investigative work and Crime Line tips, police said.

Anyone with information on Pittman’s whereabouts or the other weapons is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.