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Juvenile Suspect Arrested In Connection With Gun Shop Robbery

Friday, October 10, 2008 – updated: 1:35 pm EDT October 10, 2008

Deputies said a determined gun thief, who hid for hours in the gun store's attic, was behind bars Friday. Rieg's Gun Store on Orange Blossom Trail is a constant target.


PREVIOUS ROBBERIES: Employee Fires Back | Car Smashes Through Wall

The first thief from earlier this year drove a car right through the building to steal guns. Friday's suspect climbed on the roof and then climbed inside through one of the air-conditioning vents and hid in the attic.

"Gun shop? I wasn't in no motha******* gun shop! I don't wanna be on camera though," the suspect told Eyewitness News as he was led away.

The camera-shy suspect says he's innocent, but he couldn't explain what he was doing near Riegs Gun Shop after deputies stormed it with a shield for protection.

Deputies believe the juvenile broke-in through a rooftop air-conditioning vent and then the alarm sounded, so he hid out in the attic for hours, even after deputies pumped it full of tear gas.

"Usually it works, but anything can happen," said Steve Chandler, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

While the tear gas didn't catch him, it seems a lack of patience did him in. Just before the last few deputies pulled away, he made a break for it out the side door and into AJ Sneed's neighborhood.

"He came in that way, jumped the fence there, went in guy's back yard there, jumped fence there, jumped my fence and jumped that fence and they caught him," Sneed explained.

When the suspect jumped into Sneed's yard, he found himself face-to-face with two German Sheppards on one side and deputies with guns drawn on the other. He backtracked and it gave deputies their chance to catch him and haul him away.

The suspect's name has not been released.

The gun store is a constant target for thieves. In July, crooks drove right through the front of the building and stole more than a dozen guns. So far, four of those weapons have been recovered (see story). Earlier that same week, an employee fired shots during a robbery attempt (see story)

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