ATLANTA (TheBlaze/AP) — Authorities say seven suspects have been indicted on federal charges in connection with gun thefts from firearms dealers in several Georgia cities, including Athens, Dalton, LaGrange and Macon. One of the thefts occurred in Heflin, Alabama.
U.S. Attorney John Horn on Wednesday announced the indictment, saying thefts from firearm dealers have become a serious problem in north Georgia.
Image source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Image source: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
“The arrests and indictment of these seven individuals is a significant step in solving these crimes and helping to prevent the distribution of stolen firearms in our community,” Horn said. 
Terry Eugene Brown, 26, Jakeisia Miller, 19, Demontra Sharod Lucear, 26, Dillon James Leborgne, 21, and Eric Jerome Moore, 22, all of Atlanta, were arraigned in federal court on Thursday. 
Jacquez Miller, 23, and Jameel Yusef Drinkard, 35, both also of Atlanta, are scheduled to be arranged on May 3. 
Horn said that about 130 guns were stolen in the crime spree, which included seven thefts and three attempted thefts from October to December. The alleged thefts and alleged attempted thefts took place in several cities across Georgia: Tallapoosa, Thomson, Monroe, Warner Robins, Dalton, Macon, LaGrange and Athens. 
The alleged crimes also took place in Heflin, Alabama.
Authorities say the thieves always struck at night, either by driving a stolen car through the storefront or breaking into the business with bolt cutters and a window punch.
Prosecutors say they have evidence that some of the suspects also sold some of the stolen weapons.