- Four men have been arrested
UPDATE @6:26 p.m.:
Police may be another step closer to solving a string of weapons thefts from local gun stores after recovering one of 42 handguns stolen from the Vandalia Range & Armory.
A total of 77 weapons — including 33 from the Miami Armory and two from Beavercreek’s Palmer Firearms — were taken after break-ins in early August. Local and federal officers arrested two people Aug. 11 after a raid on a house on Marsha Lane.
Dayton police officers on Wednesday afternoon arrested 19-year-old Larry Oneal Jr. and 20-year-old Nathan Wilson on gun and drug charges. The officers responded to a report of a woman saying a man in a car was pointing a gun at her on Faulkner Avenue.
When officers arrived, they noticed a vehicle that fit the description parked next to a vacant lot with two men standing next to the car, according to a police report. The report said when Wilson and Oneal noticed the police walking toward them, they started to walk away from the car.
As one officer approached them, the other walked to the car and was overwhelmed by the odor of marijuana. The officers then noticed a bag containing numerous gel capsules of what appeared to be cocaine and a .45 semi-automatic pistol. A bag of marijuana and a 9 mm pistol was near a fence line, the report said.
The report said Oneal admitted that the .45 semi-automatic pistol, stolen from the Vandalia store, was his. It was loaded with 14 rounds of “Blazer” round-nose .45 bullets with 13 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber. The 9 mm pistol was loaded with nine bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber. Police seized weapons, along with drugs, money and cell phones.
Wilson, who said the 9 mm was his, admitted to police that he threw the gun when he saw officers and that he sells heroin and doesn’t have a job.
A Dayton police spokeswoman said the case is assigned to a detective, but that it is still under investigation so officials won’t comment on specifics.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) wouldn’t say what was found in the raid on Marsha Lane or the names of suspects until their investigation is complete, but that guns were still on the street.
“It definitely worries me when there’s stolen guns out here that we need to find,” said Tiara Britt of Dayton. “You never know where they’re going to end up and who’s hands they could be in.”
The ATF has partnered with the National Shooting Sports Foundation — the trade association for the firearms industry — to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of gun thieves.
The first burglary occurred Aug. 5, early in the morning, at the Vandalia Range and Armory. A total of 42 handguns were taken. On Friday, Aug. 7, detectives believe the same suspects broke in to Palmer Firearms in Beavercreek and stole 2 semi-automatic rifles. Early in the morning Aug. 8, investigators said the thieves hit again — this time stealing 33 handguns from The Miami Armory in Miami Township.
Each break-in was recorded by video surveillance cameras.
Agents released the video hoping the public might help identify the burglars.
Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). The agency said all calls will be kept confidential.
UPDATE @1:05 p.m. (Sept. 3):
Two Dayton men were arrested Wednesday after police allegedly found illegal drugs and guns that had been reported stolen in their vehicle.
The officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Faulkner Avenue on a report that a male in a car pointed a gun at a woman. When the officers arrived at the scene they noticed a vehicle that fit the description parked next to a vacant lot with two men standing next to the car, according to a police report.
The men were later identified as Nathan Wilson, 20, and Larry Darnell Oneal Jr.,19, both of Dayton. When they noticed the police walking toward them, the men started to walk away from the car, the police report said.
As one officer approached the men, the other walked to the car and was overwhelmed by the odor of marijuana. The officers then noticed a bag containing numerous gel capsules of what appeared to be cocaine and a semi-automatic pistol. Along a fence line was a bag of marijuana and a 9 mm pistol, the report said.
Both men were taken into custody and the officers later learned that one of the guns had been reported stolen from the Vandalia Range and Armory during a recent string of gun store robberies.
Wilson was charged with carrying concealed weapon and having weapon while under disability; and Oneal was charged with heroine possession and having weapons while under disability.
UPDATE @1:05 p.m. 8/12/2015:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is asking for the public’s help in locating stolen guns and information into the investigation.
Suzanne Dabkowski, spokesperson with the Columbus branch of the ATF, confirmed the ATF made two arrests related to the case, but would not say if any guns were found in a raid on Marsha Lane Tuesday night. She did say there are still stolen guns on the street.
The ATF’s intention is to file federal charges against those arrested Tuesday night and anyone else connected to the firearm thefts. The federal charges would be in addition to any charges filed by local police agencies, Dabkowski said.
The ATF is not releasing suspect names until the conclusion of the investigation, but a source close to the investigation said Dennis Taylor, 19, was taken into custody during the Tuesday evening raid on Marsha Lane.
The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed they have information regarding Taylor’s arrest on Marsha Lane Tuesday, but they have not met with investigators regarding the theft of firearms. Law enforcement would have until 9 p.m. Thursday to meet with prosecutor’s and officially file charges in the case.
UPDATE @10:49 a.m. 8/12/2015:
A source close to the investigation said Dennis Taylor, 19, was taken into custody during the raid of a home on Marsha Lane in Dayton Tuesday night.
Jail records show Taylor was arrested by Vandalia Police on a burglary charge. Earlier court records list Taylor’s address as the scene of the raid on Marsha Lane.
We are working to confirm with ATF agents the identity of both men taken in to custody. It is unclear if guns were recovered during last night’s raid.
We are continuing to follow this story and will be updating this site as we receive new information.
UPDATE @ 8:15 p.m. 8/11/2015:
Two people are in custody, the house on Marsha Lane is being searched by law enforcement officials and the investigation into the stolen guns is continuing, said Frank Occhipinti, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“What we do know is that the two suspects that we know who have been involved in the burglaries are in custody and there are more out there,” he said. “And there are more firearms out there that we’re certainly looking for.”
Occhipinti said one of the suspects taken into custody lives at the Marsha Lane address. Both suspects were in the residence when authorities arrived about 4 p.m.
He couldn’t state what evidence or how many guns will be recovered from the address, but did state that the bureau on Sunday developed information from a tip that led them to Marsha Lane. Occhipinti said he is not at liberty to say anything about the tip.
About the guns, he said, “They’re not being used for any good reason, we suspect. Guns don’t go away. They’re going to be out there for a while.
“They’re going to be used in crimes. Our biggest concern is that innocent people are going to get caught in the crossfire from these guns.”
He credited Dayton SWAT, the Montgomery County RANGE Task Force, the local DEA office and the police departments from Vandalia and Miami Twp. with helping with the stolen guns investigation.
Authorities will want to interview neighbors as part of the investigation as well, Occhipinti said, noting that any piece of information will help the case.
He mentioned that authorities hope the $10,000 reward for information about the gun thefts, which was announced earlier today, will help.
Meantime, authorities — equipped with a warrant — continued their work inside the house.
“Once the search is done and the scene is clear, we’ll be out of here,” he said.
UPDATE @ 4:55 p.m. (Aug. 11)
Dayton police as well as agents with the ATF, Montgomery County RANGE Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration have surrounded a house on Marsha Lane and we’re told this in connection to the investigation into the theft of dozens of firearms in the area.
Police have part of a block taped off at Marsha Lane near Nicholas Road. Our photographer has observed SWAT officers surrounding a house there.
We’re working to learn more about this developing story.
EARLIER
Thieves have broken in to three local gun shops in three days, stealing a total of 75 handguns and 2 semi-automatic rifles, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
All three break ins occurred last week at the Vandalia Range and Armory, Palmer Firearms, and The Miami Armory.
The ATF has partnered with the National Shooting Sports Foundation - the trade association for the firearms industry - to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of gun thieves.
The first burglary occurred Aug. 5, early morning in the morning, at the Vandalia Range and Armory. A total of 42 handguns were taken. On Friday, Aug. 7, detectives believe the same suspects broke in to Palmer Firearms in Beavercreek and stole 2 semi-automatic rifles. Early in the morning Aug. 8, investigators the thieves hit again - this time stealing 33 handguns from The Miami Armory in Miami Township.
Each break in was recorded by video surveillance cameras.
Agents released the video Monday hoping the public might help identify the burglars.
Anyone with information on the burglaries or anyone who recognizes the individuals is asked to contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). The agency said all calls will be kept confidential.
