8 face charges after investigation into stolen guns
After a year-long investigation, the Allegheny County Police Department, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, said officers arrested seven teenagers and one man on more than 1,400 charges related to a major crime spree at gun shops from Pittsburgh to Ohio.
In total, law enforcement members said this group stole 79 firearms during multiple burglaries last year.
"Those guns were not just local. They went everywhere throughout the county," Allegheny County Police Assistant Superintendent Vic Joseph said.
Investigators said the suspects took the majority on the morning of Jan. 13, 2025, as seen on surveillance video, when criminals conducted a smash-and-grab at Allegheny Arms and Gun Works in Bethel Park.
Just before that incident, they were caught on camera burglarizing Iron City RC Hobbies in West Mifflin, but they meant to go to Legion Arms on the other side of the building.
The same morning, police said the group also attempted a burglary at the Greater Pittsburgh Quick Cash in Duquesne.
"Detectives learned that this group would utilize multiple stolen vehicles to conduct their operations, often causing significant damage to these vehicles," Allegheny County Police Inspector Todd Dolfi said.
However, the suspects weren't done. Investigators said on Jan. 19, 2025, the group took a trip to the Expert Outfitters in North Lima, Ohio, and stole 23 guns.
"We have charged these individuals as part of a corrupt organization," Dolfi said.
Law enforcement members took the eight suspects into custody on Wednesday. The seven teenage boys were between the ages of 14 and 17 when the crimes occurred. Police identify the man as 19-year-old Chalais Ramey.
The more than 1,400 charges they're facing in total include corrupt organization, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, burglary, and illegal transfer and possession of firearms, based on their roles in the incidents.
"My office does not intend to treat these crimes as child's play. The evidence shows that these brazen burglaries and thefts were deliberate and premeditated, as were the efforts to illegally traffic and transfer the firearms," Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Christopher Decker said on behalf of Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.
So far, detectives have recovered 55 of the guns through search warrants, vehicle stops, and crime scenes. One of those guns was used in the accidental shooting death of seven-year-old Kruz Bailey Baker last month in Pittsburgh's California-Kirkbride neighborhood.
Law enforcement members hope that by taking the majority of these guns off the streets, they may have prevented more tragedies from happening.
"We all deserve to live in safe communities free from gun violence," Joseph said. "This type of work helps us reach our goal to drive down that violence and get violent offenders off the street."
Detectives continue to look for the 24 guns still out there. They said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed both here and in Ohio. All suspects remain behind bars.
