DeWitt, N.Y. — Five boys were arrested early Monday after breaking into a pair of gun stores and a failed burglary attempt at the Flynnstoned Cannabis Company in Armory Square, police said.
The boys were eventually arrested near Loudpack Exotics, another cannabis store on the grounds of the old Shoppingtown Mall in DeWitt.
This is the second time that area gun stores have been burglarized in recent weeks. Federal agents are looking for a group of young suspects in the theft of 45 guns from stores across Central and Northern New York. It’s unclear if Monday’s burglaries are tied to the previous ones.
On Monday, the group of boys started in Syracuse at MD Arms at 2649 James St., according to Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the city police.
The group, made up of two 14-year-olds, two 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old, broke into the gun store through a back door around 1:58 a.m., he said. A gun stock was reported stolen from the store, he said.
MD Arms was also targeted in a burglary last Thursday that is part of the federal investigation. In that earlier incident, a store window was broken and three handguns were stolen.
After leaving MD Arms on Monday, the boys tried to break into Flynnstoned Cannabis Company, at 219 Walton St. in Armory Square, but failed, city police said.
At 3:56 a.m., one of the burglars tried to break the store’s bulletproof window with a chunk of asphalt, which broke into pieces, bounced back and hit the burglar, owner Mike Flynn said.
Later, the group also broke into Shooter’s Haven, at 221 W. Manlius St., and stole $3,751 worth of merchandise, according to Lt. Jerry Pace, a spokesperson for DeWitt police.
Numerous simulation-training pistols, holsters and dummy rounds were reported stolen, he said. There was also $1,800 worth of damage caused. No actual weapons were stolen from the store, he said.
The Shooter’s Haven burglary was captured on security video, allowing police to identify the suspect vehicle as a stolen gray Subaru with a Maryland license plate, police said.
The same Subaru was later spotted in front of Loudpack Exotics, a cannabis dispensary at 6606 Kinne Road, Pace said. The boys ran away from the store when police approached.
Police searched the area and arrested the five boys, Pace said. They all were charged with felony burglary, grand larceny and criminal mischief.
One 14-year-old was released to one of his parents with a date to return to Family Court. The other 14-year-old was taken to Family Court and then to Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center.
The two 16-year-olds and the 17-year-old were taken to the Youth Part of criminal court and arraigned. They all were released on the condition they return home by 8 p.m. that night, police said. It is unknown at this time if they returned home, police said.
Police ask if anyone has information regarding the incident to contact the Dewitt Police at (315)449-3640 or by email at tips@townofdewitt.com.
Staff writer Timia Cobb covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at tcobb@syracuse.com.
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