Four adults, three juveniles charged in connection with gun thefts at Wolcott sports store

Yahoo

13-05-2025

Seven people, including three juveniles, have been arrested in connection with a burglary at a sporting goods store in Wolcott where a stolen vehicle was used to ram the front of the building before nine guns were stolen.
The suspects were arrested Tuesday by members of the Bristol Police Department following a multi-agency investigation that involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, according to police. Three of the suspects, all 16-year-olds from Bristol, were turned over to the Wolcott Police Department where they faced additional charges.
According to Wolcott police, the teens were identified as the three suspects who burglarized the Sportsmen's Outpost on Wolcott Road on April 18. Officers responded to the store at 5:24 a.m. when a burglary alarm went off and found that a blue Hyundai sedan that was reported stolen in Bristol was used to ram the front of the store. Nine handguns were taken as the thieves were allegedly seen on video surveillance committing the burglary, police said.
Police said a stolen Kia was used as a getaway vehicle and that a number of area law enforcement agencies were notified of the stolen guns, as well as the ATF and the Waterbury State's Attorney's Office. Police said they learned during the investigation the same suspects had allegedly committed a burglary earlier in the day at an empty store in Wolcott that used to be a gun store. A description of the Kia that the suspects left in was shared with law enforcement throughout the state.
During the investigation, police said they were led to Waterbury where a 16-year-old claimed that he had accidentally shot himself in the hand while he was in Bristol, where he resides. Bristol police also notified Wolcott investigators that they found the stolen Kia in a small lake. Inside the Kia, authorities allegedly found a handgun with an obliterated serial number, police said.
Investigators also learned that one of the stolen guns, which was possibly used in the accidental shooting, was tossed in a river in Bristol, Wolcott police said. A 9mm handgun was recovered with assistance from the Connecticut State Police dive team.
Over the course of five days after the burglary, Wolcott police said their investigators along with ATF agents and Bristol police carried out multiple search warrants, interviewed numerous people and conducted surveillance. The investigation led to the three juveniles being identified as the suspects believed to have stolen the guns.
According to police, the juveniles, which included the teen who accidentally shot himself, are suspected of stealing the guns with plans to sell them on the streets. Eight of the nine guns have been recovered. Wolcott police said they are still working to recover the last firearm.
Authorities also learned during the investigation that family members and friends of the juveniles are believed to have helped them following the burglary. Those alleged crimes occurred in Bristol.
Bristol police on Tuesday arrested four adults and the three teens after obtaining warrants for them.
One of the juveniles was arrested on charges of conspiracy to steal a firearm, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit and operating without a license.
Another teen was charged with risk of injury to a minor, police said. The third juvenile faces charges of conspiracy to steal a firearm, conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, criminal trover, larceny of a motor vehicle, illegal transfer of a firearm, operating without a license, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of weapons in a motor vehicle, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and tampering with evidence.
The teens were turned over to Wolcott police after they were charged by Bristol investigators. Wolcott police said they face 10 counts of weapons in a motor vehicle and stealing a firearm, two counts of first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary and a single count of first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny, conspiracy at stealing a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal alteration of a firearm identification number.
The suspects who allegedly helped the teens have been identified as 45-year-old Alvin Martinez, 20-year-old Shane Erdmann, 18-year-old Makiah Henry and 36-year-old Jessica Henry all of Bristol, according to police.
Martinez faces charges of illegal transfer of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, tampering with evidence and operating while under suspension. Erdmann has been charged with illegal transfer of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, tampering with evidence and improper storage of a firearm.
Makiah Henry faces charges of illegal transfer of a firearm and tampering with evidence. Jessica Henry has been charged with tampering with evidence.
'I want to commend not only the Wolcott detectives and officers that investigated this burglary, but also the members of the ATF, the Bristol Police detectives and officers, the Connecticut State Police, the Waterbury Police Department and the Waterbury State's Attorneys Office,' Wolcott police said in a statement.
'They did not rest until the guns were recovered and charges were made,' police said. 'It was because of their hard work, dedication and commitment to keeping their citizens safe, that we were able to remove nine handguns off the street to prevent harm and possibly death to others. I also want to acknowledge and thank the public in Wolcott, Waterbury and Bristol for their assistance with providing us with videos surveillance footage.'