Editors Note: The following press release is directly from ATF. Regular readers of AmmoLand News know our stance on the unaccountable Federal Agency: No comment. We invite our readers to leave their hard-hitting insights in the comments below.
LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) working with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSD), Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and North Las Vegas Police Department (NLVPD) arrested four men on federal firearms charges with connections to the Poway federal firearms licensee burglary, which occurred earlier this week.
On Monday, SDSD responded at 3:18 a.m. to a burglary at Poway Weapons and Gear of San Diego, 13550 Danielson St., Poway, Calif. A vehicle (later determined to be stolen) smashed through the storefront. Four individuals entered the store, stole 78 firearms within four minutes, and fled in another vehicle.
The SDSD and ATF San Diego investigation led law enforcement to Las Vegas where later in the day ATF Las Vegas Field Office, LVMPD, and NLVPD executed a search warrant on a residence. Law enforcement seized 35 firearms stolen from Poway Weapons and Gear during the search of the residence and from two of the individuals.
A federal complaint was filed Wednesday, charging Ky’von Love Bernard Payne, 18, of Boron, Nevada, with transportation of stolen firearms. Semaj’e Ridgeway, 21, of North Las Vegas, and Payne were charged with possession of stolen firearms and firearms trafficking. Jahova Bell, 18, of Las Vegas, and Lanell Bellows, 19 of Las Vegas, were also charged with firearms trafficking.
According to the federal complaint, Payne arrived at Ridgeway’s residence in Las Vegas in the car that was placed the burglary.
He then bought in two bags to the residence. During a search warrant at Ridgeway’s residence later that day, law enforcement located 33 of the 78 stolen firearms. When arrested, Bell and Bellows had two more of the firearms stolen from the Poway federal firearm licensee. The investigation continues to locate the additional stolen firearms not yet recovered.
ATF works with its local, state and federal partners to investigate firearms-related charges and provide resources to reduce violent crime in our communities. This case is being prosecuted out of U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
For more information about Los Angeles ATF visit https://www.atf.gov/los-angeles-field-division and follow ATF on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
ATF is the federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating violations of the federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.
Stop being a tool for atf
F atf and their extended families
Is the San Diego Police Department so ineffective that they cannot handle a criminal investigation? I think not. The ATF therefore is useless.
So AFT does a ride a long and then steal the credit. Disband the criminal AFT.
The four given names of the thus-far captured perps pesent some very strong images in my mind’s eye as to just who these perps are. Funny ho that works sometimes. And o, I NEVER indulge in stereotyping in such situations…
glad they caught these louts. but how many decades will they spend behind bars? FIve yers per stolen arm should have them pretty old males before they can get out. My bet is they’ll be free s jaybirds within ten, ready to go find more such adventure.
Perps’ first names gave away the punch line……
This info came from the ATF? I am now beginning to doubt the existence of San Diego.
And are any of you getting these new and annoying pop-ups for Glock? I have an ad blocker on my PC, but these bits of crap keep coming up.
Great names Hahahaha
I have never before seen so many spelling, grammatical, and logical errors in a press release. Frank, did you edit this just to prank the ATF?
LOL, it amazes me how stupid thieves are. They steal a car and keep the same plate on it.
It does amaze me however that an APB must have been put out all across the USA and that all police departments must have been looking for that license plate and car. I wonder if they used the traffic camera system to track them, military spy satellite or what?
Dumb meets dumber.