Teen arrested, another on the run in connection with pawn shop burglary

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Police said thanks to a FOX 5 viewer, they have made an arrest in connection to a burglary at the Candler Road Pawn Shop

Brandon Harris, 17, was booked into the DeKalb County Jail charged in connection to the theft of several dozen guns from the establishment. Police also named 19-year-old Tranquan Burnett as a second suspect.

This was the second time in six months thieves have struck the business.

The crime, which was caught on camera, shows the crooks busting out the front window and crawling into the business. Using a baseball bat, two men smash out the front door of the Candler Road Pawn Shop. Once inside, they smash the glass counter top and go for the guns. They cover their faces as they run through the store. Police said they got at least 14 hand guns, and at least two long rifles.

“That's very concerning, that's 16 firearms that's very potentially, if not already, in the wrong hands,” said Major Stephen Fore, DeKalb County Police Department.

The major said thieves are targeting pawn shops for the guns and he said they are getting bolder.

“In some cases you will see where they will steal a U-Haul truck and drive it through the wall of the business,” said Major Fore.

Back in October, a group of people tried to get into the Candler Road Pawn Shop. They rammed a U-Haul truck into the front door, knocking down a concrete barrier, but in that case they could not get past the iron security gate.

Six months month later, and the owner of the shop is having to replace the door yet again. It is a problem happening all over metro Atlanta.

“We're releasing the video and hoping someone can help us identify them. You also notice in the video they leave the location in a white colored sedan. We think that's a good clue as well. We’re just really hoping someone can help us get these people identified so we can get them off the street and potentially recover these weapons," said Major Fore.

Police said they did recover DNA at the scene after one of the men cut himself entering the building. The did not confirm if it belonged to one of the two men they named.