SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

3 Arrests Made in Pawn Shop Burglaries and Stolen Handguns

Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office investigators have arrested three individuals that are responsible for the burglary of a local pawn shop on February 10, 2008 (see original press release below). Seventeen handguns were stolen during the burglary, with a total value of $12,190.00. During the investigation, investigators received information concerning the identities of the suspects that were involved in the burglary. The suspects were identified as Timothy Gamble (18 years old), Stephen Morency (17 years old), and Justin Borders (16 years old). During interviews, all three suspects gave similar accounts of what had occurred on the night of the burglary. The burglary of Guns and Such Pawn Shop was conducted after a botched attempt to burglarize another pawn shop earlier the same night. During the botched attempt at Ron's Place Pawn and Gun Shop, the suspects accidentally activated an alarm which notified law enforcement. The suspects were able to leave the area prior to law enforcement arriving, due to one of the suspects actively monitoring a police scanner. The suspects then regrouped and came up with the plan to burglarize Guns and Such. After the successful burglary, the suspects took the stolen firearms to a location in East Milton , at which time the serial numbers were ground off using a grinding tool. The firearms were then sold by the suspects to different individuals in the Milton area and the suspects would split the proceeds. Investigators have since been able to recover 13 of the 17 stolen firearms. Investigators will continue to track down the remaining 4 firearms and are asking citizens with any information about the remaining handguns to call Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Any person that gives information that leads to the recovery of one of the handguns may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00. All three suspects were arrested on 3/4/08 on the below mentioned charges. Gamble is being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail with no bond. The two juveniles are being held by the Department of Juvenile Justice. Photographs of the suspects are attached to this email.

SUSPECT #1:

Timothy Lawrence Gamble, W/M, 18 years old, 6800 block of Oak St ., Milton, FL

Charges:

Grand Theft of a Firearm, 17 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Removal of Serial Numbers from a Firearm, 14 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Selling an Altered Firearm, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Armed Burglary, 1 count, 1 st degree felony

Unarmed Burglary, 1 count, 3 rd degree felony

Possession of Burglary Tools with Intent to Use, 2 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Disabling Power/Phone to Further Burglary, 2 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Dealing in Stolen Property, 2 counts, 2 nd degree felony

Use of Police Scanner to Aid Suspect, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

SUSPECT #2:

Stephen Douglas Morency, W/M, 17 years old, 6400 Block of Bruce Lane, Milton, FL

Charges:

Grand Theft of a Firearm, 17 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Criminal Mischief, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Armed Burglary, 1 count, 1 st degree felony

Unarmed Burglary, 1 count, 3 rd degree felony

Possession of Burglary Tools with Intent to Use, 2 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Disabling Power/Phone to Further Burglary, 2 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Use of Police Scanner to Aid Suspect, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

SUSPECT #3:

Justin Tyler Borders, W/M, 16 years old, 6500 Block of Lark Avenue, Milton, FL

Charges:

Grand Theft of a Firearm, 17 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Removal of Serial Numbers from a Firearm, 14 counts, 3 rd degree felony

Selling an Altered Firearm, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Armed Burglary, 1 count, 1 st degree felony

Unarmed Burglary, 1 count, 3 rd degree felony

Dealing in Stolen Property, 2 counts, 2 nd degree felony

Use of Police Scanner to Aid Suspect, 2 counts, 1 st degree misdemeanor

Accessory After the Fact, 1 count, 2 nd degree felony

Pawn Shop Burglarized: 17 Handguns Stolen

On 2/11/2008 , Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to Guns and Such Pawn Shop on Stewart Street in Milton in reference to the business being burglarized. The burglary occurred sometime over the weekend while the business was closed. The owner of the pawn shop stated that entry had been gained to the business during the nighttime hours after an unknown suspect severed the phone lines, disabling the alarm system. The hinges were then cut off of the rear door with a cutting torch. Once inside, the unknown suspect/suspects removed 17 handguns of all different calibers and makes. A laser sight was also stolen. No suspect/suspects have been identified and the Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the burglary. Anyone with information concerning the burglary or the location of the stolen guns is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. Anyone providing information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.00.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net