GRIER
The arrests come a week after the robbery that caused the temporary closure of Plain City gun shop Smokin’ Aces.
According to a release on a Whitehall Police social media page, authorities executed a warrant at 208 Midcliff Drive in Whitehall on Feb. 14, “after a passerby alerted the Whitehall Police of a vehicle they believed to be stolen.”
According to the release, the occupants fled on foot and were located by Whitehall Police shortly thereafter. The vehicle had been stolen from Reynoldsburg on Feb. 5.
Authorities surrounded and searched the residence on Midcliff Drive where they arrested Chavez Grier and four juveniles. Authorities also found four guns, three of which police believe were stolen from Smokin’ Aces Armory.
Smokin’ Aces Armory owner Tyler Bonta reportedly contacted the Madison County Sheriff’s Office about the robbery at about 9:10 p.m. Feb. 7.
Video surveillance footage shows at least five suspects crashing a vehicle into the building and stealing 32 handguns.
Last week, Lt. Eric T. Semler, with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, noted how unusually quick the robbery was. By the time law enforcement arrived on the scene, the culprits were already gone.
“They were in and out in literally 30 seconds,” he said.
At the time, authorities began a search for a small SUV and a dark colored sedan.
The vehicle the suspects drove into the business was also recovered. It had been stolen from a Whitehall business last month.
“Further investigation revealed that the same five arrestees had also just been involved in a home invasion/burglary in Reynoldsburg immediately before it was spotted by the passerby who called into the Whitehall Police,” states the release.
All five suspects were charged with four counts of receiving stolen property.
“Further charges including burglary and breaking and entering are pending,” states the release.
According to the release, investigation continues by Whitehall Police, Reynoldsburg Police, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Last week, Bonta said he plans to reopen the store by March 1. He said he’s already started fixing the damage.
“We are not closing,” he told the Journal-Tribune. “We will definitely be implementing some new security measures.”