Stolen weapons recovered in Maryland after burglary at Virginia gun store: police

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - A gun store burglary in Springfield, Virginia, was captured on camera, leading to the arrest of two teens. The robbery took place at Dominion Defense, located on Fullerton Road and it marks the second time in six months that the business has been targeted.

The crime occurred in the early hours of the morning Monday, around 1:00 a.m., when the suspects rammed a truck into the storefront. The force of the collision caused the store's door to blow open, and three individuals were seen inside the store breaking into gun cases. 

In total, the suspects managed to steal 21 firearms, including two long guns and 19 handguns, before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle.

Quick action from police leads to arrest

What we know:

Though the burglary took place in Springfield, the suspects were apprehended in Gaithersburg, Maryland, following swift coordination between law enforcement in Fairfax County and Montgomery County. 

With the assistance of a Fairfax County police helicopter, authorities were able to track down the suspects, who had abandoned their stolen vehicle and fled on foot.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis commented on the troubling ages of the suspects, emphasizing the severity of the crime. 

"Let the ages of the two apprehended last night sink in, two 16-year-olds — 16. Something has gone terribly wrong in their lives for them to be committing such brazen, violent, ruthless acts like this one," Davis said.

Coordinated effort to capture the suspects

What they're saying:

Capt. James Curry of Fairfax County Police provided further insight into the events that unfolded after the burglary. 

"We saw these individuals from our camera dumping backpacks into the back of trash cans. With the help of coordination in the air and on the ground, we were able to get the suspect into custody — two 16-year-olds," Curry said. "There was a third that was with them, but shortly after they parked the second stolen vehicle, he went in a different direction."

The police were able to recover most of the stolen firearms, though eight remain unaccounted for. Authorities are still searching for one additional suspect involved in the crime.

Repeat crime at Dominion Defense

This incident is not the first time Dominion Defense has been targeted. Approximately six months ago, the store was also burglarized, resulting in the theft of over a dozen firearms. The repeated nature of these crimes has raised concerns among both the local community and law enforcement.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. If you have any information related to this burglary or the ongoing investigation, you are encouraged to contact the police.