2 Young Men Charged In Southfield Gun Range Thefts
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Police say two young men who broke into a Southfield gun range and made off with over 20 firearms have been charged in the case.
Twenty-year-old Arthuro Leontae Tate and 17-year-old Tobais Aaron Nance, both of Detroit, were arraigned last Friday on several charges, including breaking and entering a building with intent, malicious destruction of a building -- over $20,000, firearm larceny, felony firearms, and unlawful driving away of a motor vehicle.
The charges stem from an incident that happened during the early morning hours of June 5, after the duo stole a Henry Ford Hospital truck and used it to break into the Action Impact gun range on 8 Mile Road.
Police say the men were able to gain entrance to the gun range after ramming the vehicle into the business's heavily reinforced walls several times. Once inside, police said Tate and Nance stole 22 handguns and an unknown amount of ammunition.
Officials say Tate and Nance were arrested on Aug. 7 following an extensive and through investigation by the Southfield Police Department with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Michigan State Police and the Detroit Police Department.
"I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of our detectives. This is a great example of how collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels can make our communities safer," Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins said in a statement.
Police say the van was recovered a week after the incident and several of the handguns have also been recovered.
Both Tate and Nance were given $100,000 cash surety bonds and are due back in court on Aug. 19 for a pre exam conference.
