Two face charges in gun thefts
By Steve Herring
Published in News on January 8, 2015 1:46 PM
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CALYPSO -- Two of the three men responsible for the breaking, entering and theft of 73 guns from Calypso Wholesale in the early morning hours of Sept. 27 have been arrested, authorities say.
A third suspect, Cruise Dion Scott, 23, of Clinton, is still at large.
Considering the type of theft and the guns that Scott has access to, he should be considered armed and dangerous, Duplin County Sheriff Blake Wallace said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said 71 handguns and two rifles were stolen
Ahkeem Donte Pratt, 23, and Jeremy Andre Lewis Aycock, 20, both of Fayetteville, are charged with felonious breaking and entering, felonious larceny after breaking/entering, felonious possession of stolen goods and possession of firearms by a felon. Both men have ties to the Warsaw area.
Federal charges are expected as well, Wallace said.
The theft took place at Calypso Wholesale, a federal firearms licensee, at 108 Fourth St., Calypso.
Wallace said that 32 of the 73 weapons have been recovered, some in-state and others outside of North Carolina.
"They had a market for the guns prior to them being sold," Wallace said.
The arrests are the result of a joint investigation between the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and detectives with the Duplin County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation is ongoing and the three could possibly be involved in break-ins at other gun shops in the Clinton, Dunn and Wilmington areas.
Wallace said his office is working closely with the Fayetteville Police Department and ATF.
He said he also is asking for the public's help in locating Scott.
Anyone with any information should contact the Duplin County Sheriff's Office at 910-296-2150.