Ben McCormack (left) and Jason Thorn
JAMESTOWN, NY – Jamestown police are announcing the arrest of two city men following an investigation into dozens of guns that were stolen from central pennsylvania.
According to Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson, on Friday, June 17 at about 9:30 p.m. officers were conducting a street check of an individual walking on South Main St. at Axtel St. in Jamestown.
The subject was identified as 36 year-old Jason Thorn and was found to have an active bench warrant.
Thorn was taken into custody and was found to be in possession of a pistol that was found to be stolen during a burglary of a gun shop in Mansfield, PA.
Police contacted the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and a subsequent investigation determined that the gun was one of dozens that were taken in three separate burglaries in the central Pennsylvania area.
As a result of the investigation, both Jamestown police and federal ATF officials recovered 55 stolen handguns and rifles on Tuesday, June 21, which they say were destined to be sold on the streets of the Jamestown area.
The investigation resulted in both Thorn and 31 year-old Ben McCormack being arrested and both face a multiple count federal indictment for their part in the three burglaries.
Weapons Seized Federal Indictments ATF and the JPD
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, McCormack and Thorne are charged with conspiracy to steal and unlawfully possess firearms from the inventories of licensed gun stores.
In a media release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Middle District of Pennsylvania, officials say on or about May 29, 2016, McCormack and an unindicted co-conspirator allegedly broke into Arrowhead Outdoors, a gun store in Tionesta, Pennsylvania and stole approximately 28 firearms. On or about June 17, 2016, McCormack and Thorne allegedly stole approximately 36 firearms from GNR Sporting Goods in Mansfield. On or about June 20, 2016, McCormack and an unindicted co-conspirator allegedly broke into and stole approximately 29 firearms from Fulmer’s Sporting Goods in Wysox Township.
“Gun thieves are a principal source of weapons that make their way into the hands of criminals. Stolen guns are quickly dispensed through underground transactions and the cycle of violence is initiated,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi. “I commend the diligent work of the investigators from ATF, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Jamestown Police Department in New York, in this ongoing, wide-ranging and multi-jurisdictional investigation. Their outstanding investigative efforts led to the recovery of at least 55 of the stolen firearms that were destined for our communities and led to the swift identifications and arrests of those involved in these gun store burglaries.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Jamestown, New York Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Rocktashel and John Gurganus.
Anyone having information regarding the gun store burglaries should call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or email: ATFTips@atf.gov
The numbers don’t add up. So where are the rest?
I know. The numbers listed, add up to way more than 55. Doesn’t make sense.
ATF and U.S. attorney say there is at least one other “unindicted co-conspirator” – so perhaps they are investigating and gathering evidence to indict that individual. Once that is done they may have more information into the whereabouts of the remaining firearms that were not confiscated during the Jamestown portion of the investigation.
Possibly already on the streets.
That’s how many the feds recovered
Obviously it dont make sense !!!! But no one actually knows any truth about this investigation except what the police and feds want to post to make a case look like its way more then what it is. So dont nobody need to attempt to defimate the character of the alleged suspects that were named in this incident !!!! And the police department and other law enforcement agencies are so corrupt you honestly cant even believe all that may come of this case. I wont be suprised if evidence may get screwed up
Being caught with the guns doesnt mean that they committed the burglaries to obtain the guns either. I hope that the feds have either confessions by the suspects or clearly accurate videos of the persons committing the crime(s) or we all know the case will be weak with lesser charges lmao haha.
Most likely sold to Jamestown drug dealers , lot of potential sales !
They probley have already sold them being the 1st robbery was back in May. I hope they will get the rest of them off the street. If people wanna carry a gun do it like I did and get a permit and BUY one thats not stolen,. They need to keep doing the background checks to make sure that no guns fall into the hands of the wrong people. But when some stupid person does somerthing like this you have no idea where or who has purchased these guns and it could be someone with a viloent back ground or mental health issue. Sad