Suspects Arrested in Breaking & Entering and Theft of Firearms from Sporting Goods Store
In the early morning hours of October 27th, 2019, Marion Police responded to an alarm call at Dunham’s Sporting Goods located in the Marion Plaza on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Upon arrival, Officers found that numerous handguns had been forcibly removed from cases located inside the store. An investigation was launched and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) was called in to assist with the investigation.
Detectives with Marion’s MARMET Drug Task Force lead the investigation, following up on tips and pursuing viable leads. On October 29th, MARMET Detectives arrested Jamie Contreras, Age 19 of Marion for Breaking & Entering and Theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Formal charges have been filed against Contreras with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. While conducting a search of a residence on Marion’s West side, Detectives located several of the stolen firearms.
On October 31st, 2019 a second suspect from this investigation was arrested by the MARMET Task Force. Paul Black III, Age 18 of Marion was also arrested for Breaking & Entering and Theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Formal charges will be presented today against Black III with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.