OHIO — A 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man from Cleveland have been arrested in connection with the September burglary of a Westlake gun store in which 12 firearms were stolen, according to authorities.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said the break-in occurred around 12:09 a.m. on Sept. 13 at Westlake Classic Firearms, located in the 26300 block of Center Ridge Road.
Investigators said the suspect used a hammer to smash a glass window and entered the store, where he stole 10 handguns and two rifles before fleeing.
Westlake police said they obtained DNA from the hammer within two weeks of the burglary, which led them to a 16-year-old Cleveland boy. The teen already had prior convictions for fleeing from police, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, and attempted grand theft.
On Sept. 30, Westlake police, ATF agents, and the WEB SWAT Team executed a search warrant at the teen’s home and arrested him. Six guns were recovered inside the home, including five that had been taken from the Westlake store. The 16-year-old remains in custody at the Cuyahoga County Jail.
Statements from the teen and evidence recovered from electronic devices led investigators to a 20-year-old Cleveland man, who police said acted as the getaway driver. He was arrested in Lorain on Nov. 8.
Authorities said the remaining missing firearms have been entered into national databases as stolen.
