50 guns stolen from shop
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on May 9, 2006 1:56 PM
A gun shop was broken into twice last week, and more than 50 handguns were stolen, according to Wayne County Sheriff's Office reports that were released Monday. The firearms were valued at $14,812.92.
A teenager was arrested over the weekend and charged with possession of one of the stolen firearms.
The first break-in at Guns of the South at 375 St. John Church Road was reported between last Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
Sheriff's Deputy J.S. Sparrow responded to the break-in and found the front door had been damaged. He called for assistance from other deputies, and detectives responded and began an investigation.
Twenty-three handguns, valued at $6,986.83, were reported stolen.
An employee was awakened early Thursday by two intruders in the shop. He called 911 and saw two people leaving.
The thieves had cut a lock on an exterior door and then smashed the glass on an interior door to get inside, the report said. Twenty-eight handguns, valued at $7,826.09, were stolen. Two other firearms were stolen but recovered.
Damage was estimated at $1,200 to the door. The lock was valued at $40.
Detective Sgt. Carl Lancaster was assigned to lead the investigation.
During a traffic stop in the 900 block of South Audubon Avenue, a teenager was arrested Saturday night by Goldsboro police and charged with felony possession of one stolen firearm.
Lewis Jamal Bell, 16, of Dollard Town Road also was charged with three misdemeanors -- carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest. He was placed in the Wayne County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 secured bond.