Gun Shop Heist Raises Public Safety Concerns

The crime spree came to a head in the early morning hours of Memorial Day, when police received a 911 call reporting that a flatbed truck had backed into the front door of the Millers Gun Center in New Castle. Responding officers discovered the gun shop had been breached, with several firearms stolen and the truck gone from the scene.

Bob Miller, the owner of the over 60-year-old gun store, expressed concerns about the public safety implications of the heist. While specializing in sporting rifles and shotguns, Miller stated that mostly handguns were taken by the thief or thieves who smashed through the shop’s security measures.

“It’s a violation to all of us and it’s obviously a public safety issue,” Miller told NBC10. “They must have backed into the building at a pretty hard pace, a fast speed to be able to break through.”

Despite security precautions like metal bars, a metal door, surveillance cameras and an alarm system that alerted police, the perpetrators made off with 16 guns before officers could respond. As of last week, not all the stolen firearms had been recovered.

Teen Suspect Identified and Charged

Through what police described as “investigative measures,” detectives from the New Castle County Criminal Investigations Unit were able to identify the 14-year-old male suspect from Wilmington allegedly behind the daring gun shop robbery. On the day after the heist, officers from the County Mobile Enforcement Team located the juvenile in a vehicle and took him into custody without incident.

The unidentified teen was arraigned on 16 felony firearm theft charges related to the gun shop break-in, as well as charges of burglary, car theft and other counts. Unable to post $79,000 cash bail, he was sent to the New Castle County Detention Center.

Wilmington Teen Linked to Multi-County Crime Spree

In a disturbing development, authorities soon discovered that the same 14-year-old suspect was allegedly connected to multiple other recent robberies and burglaries across Delaware in both New Castle County and Delaware State Police jurisdictions.

The earliest incident allegedly traced back to May 15th, when the teen is accused of robbing a Walgreens pharmacy employee at knifepoint and stealing money from the registers before fleeing on foot in Wilmington.

Just two days later, he allegedly broke into Belak Flowers by smashing a window, stole cash and other items, and then took the keys to a company van from the store which he is accused of stealing and abandoning later at an apartment complex.

From May 22nd to 27th, the suspect is believed to have committed four similar burglaries at medical offices in the Wilmington area, using tools or bricks to break in and steal medical supplies and cash according to Delaware State Police.

Multi-Agency Effort to Crack Crime Spree

Police from both New Castle County and Delaware State Police, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), combined investigative efforts to connect the same teenage suspect to the entire spree of alleged criminal incidents across multiple jurisdictions.

New Castle County Police Spokesperson Richard Chambers told reporters that county detectives were working “tirelessly” alongside the ATF to track down the suspect, recover the stolen guns, and solve the cases.

In addition to the 16 firearm theft charges related to the gun shop robbery, the 14-year-old faces prosecution from Delaware State Police on charges of burglary, robbery, car theft and other counts tied to the other alleged incidents. His bond for those cases was set at $25,000 cash.

Stolen Truck Used in Gun Shop Heist Recovered

A major break in the high-profile gun store heist came when investigators received a tip about the location of the stolen flatbed truck used to ram the entrance of Millers Gun Center. The truck had allegedly been taken about an hour before the robbery from a warehouse in Claymont by cutting through a fence.

Police found the abandoned truck, with front-end damage consistent with the gun shop break-in, parked in a dry cleaner’s lot less than 100 yards from the crime scene over 24 hours after the heist took place. No explanation was provided for the delay in locating the truck so close to the gun shop.

Authorities continue to ask anyone with information about the suspect, the remaining unrecovered firearms, or the crime spree to contact investigators or leave anonymous tips.

Concerns Over Youth Crimes and Stolen Guns

The allegations against the 14-year-old suspect have raised serious concerns about youth criminality as well as the public safety threats posed by the theft of firearms. Law enforcement will likely face scrutiny over how the juvenile suspect was able to allegedly commit so many brazen crimes across multiple jurisdictions before being apprehended.

While most of the details remain tightly held as the cases proceed through the legal process, the sheer audacity and scope of the crimes have rattled the local community. Ramming a truck through a gun shop to steal weapons represents a new level of brazenness.

With an unknown number of guns still in criminal hands, authorities will be urgently seeking to recover the firearms and take them off the streets before they can potentially be used in new violent crimes, further endangering public safety.

The cases will also shine a spotlight on the handling of juveniles accused of serious offenses like armed robbery. At just 14 years old, the suspect faces decades of potential prison time if convicted on all charges from both New Castle County and Delaware State Police.

But beyond the proceedings against this individual teen, the incident raises larger questions about what is fueling youth involvement in such organized and audacious criminal activities. Addressing the root societal causes that facilitate minors obtaining weapons, stealing vehicles, and allegedly committing armed robberies will likely need to be a priority for community leaders and law enforcement.

As the cases make their way through Delaware’s legal system, the public will be closely watching the outcome and repercussions. The resolution could have a major impact on determining the appropriate consequences for youth suspects accused of serious crimes as well as help drive future policies aimed at preventing such brazen criminal acts from happening again.

For the local businesses like Millers Gun Center that were violently targeted, there are already calls to examine and upgrade security protocols. No matter the outcome, this spree of alleged crimes by one 14-year-old suspect seems poised to spark serious discussions about crime, prevention, and accountability. I sincerely hope you find this “Teen Charged in Delaware Gun Shop Smash and Grab – Shocking Details Unveiled” article helpful.

Skylar Lacey

Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.

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