Lincoln police have identified suspects in connection to break-ins at several gun stores and pawn shops.
On Dec. 25, police responded to a burglary at Acher Arms, 1334 S. 33rd St., and found that 23 firearms were stolen just before 7 a.m. About 30 minutes later, officers learned about a break-in at Moore Pawn, 1621 M St., where nothing was taken.
Five days later, 16 guns were taken from Big Shots Gun Store, 399 Sun Valley Blvd. And on Jan. 8, nothing was taken from a break-in at Randolph Pawn and Jewelry, 2700 Randolph St.
Lincoln investigators, using a plastic bag left behind on the floor at Randolph Pawn, were able to lift several fingerprints and match them to Tremain Berks, 24, who was arrested on Jan. 26 and charged with misdemeanor assault in a separate case.
He has been cited on suspicion of four counts of burglary.
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In a search of Berks' cellphone, officers found a photograph of nine handguns. Investigators were able to zoom in on one of the guns to get the serial number and confirm it was stolen from Acher Arms, Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said Monday.
Officers also found a second photo that was taken 30 minutes after the Big Shots burglary of 16 guns, he said.Ìý
Other information on the cellphone led officers to the arrest of Alexander White, 26, on suspicion of accessory to a burglary and aiding and abetting a burglary for the Acher Arms and Big Shots break-ins, Bliemeister said.
On Friday, the department's gang and criminal investigations unit served a search warrant at an apartment at 2521 N. Ninth St. in an attempt to find the stolen guns.
Officers located one of the guns stolen from Big Shots along with ammunition, according to a probable cause affidavit.Ìý
Kelbee Debusk, 20, was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, but not in connection with the stolen gun, the court document says. Officers found nearly two ounces of cocaine inside a red shoe box, the document says.Ìý
More arrests could follow as police suspect some of the stolen guns may have been distributed to others.