Gun theft spreads out in Eldorado
An apparent suicide attempt led to the arrest of people wanted in a burglary that happened early Sunday morning in Raleigh.
William Jaydon Emmons, 18, Charles Edward Payne, 54, Nathan D. Behrens, 27, and one juvenile, all of Eldorado, were arrested after information came to light of their police alleged involvement in the burglary of Gunslinger's Gun Shop, located on Karel Park Road in Eldorado.
"This has to be a joke," said Ronald Frailey, owner of Gunslinger's "I feel like I have been socked in the jaw."
Frailey, who has been in business for more than 13 years and owning his own gun shop for the last year, said that more than $13,000 worth of merchandise was removed from the shop early Sunday.
"December marked our one year anniversary," Frailey said. "This feels like a bad dream."
Frailey reported the theft to police around 7 p.m. on Sunday. The call brought out a few agencies to investigate, including the Saline County Sheriff's Department, Eldorado Police Department, and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.
The report states that the identities of the individuals involved came to light after the juvenile attempted to commit suicide with one of the handguns. That act lead to a trip to the police department for a full confession, facilitated by the parents.
Police report that Emmons confessed after the juvenile identified him. Emmons said that the juvenile had pulled the sheet metal away from a wall of the gun shop, pushed the insulation away from the door, reached through the insulation and opened the door from the outside of the business. Frailey confirmed that's how the break in occurred.
Both Emmons and the juvenile started taking firearms from the display cases and placing them into rifle cases to be carried out of the business, police report
The report continues that the two then spent time trying to sell the firearms to people in the Eldorado area. First stopping at the home of Nathan D. Behrens, who took several of the firearms including an AK-47 assault rifle, which are valued in total, $11,845, reports state.
According to reports, the pair then traveled to Payne's residence to see if he would be interested. Payne was not home at the time but firearms were left at the residence, police report.
Police said that according to Emmons, the juvenile and he stole a 1999 Ford Escort early Sunday morning that is owned by Tyler Slone of Eldorado and used it to transport the guns.
Police later found the car behind Beulah Campground, where it was ditched after running out of gas.
Slone, in an interview, said that two of the guns were found inside the Ford Escort, one just below the passenger side front seat and another between the door and driver side seat, after the car was released to him.
As of now, according to the Saline County Sheriff's office, 29 of the handguns, one assault rifle, numerous ammo magazines, ammunition, and gun cases have been recovered.
The burglary is still under investigation but Frailey plans to move forward from this point by upgrading his security with an electronic security system, stronger window bars and reinforced doors.