Newton County juveniles arrested in pawn shop gun thefts

Three Newton County juveniles, two of whom will be tried as adults, have been arrested and charged in connection with a scheme to steal firearms from a local pawn shop.

“We expect more arrests to come as this investigation continues,” Philadelphia Police Det. Shea Elliott said.

Both Da’marion Thames and Ni’zayvion Robinson will be charged as adults, Elliott said. Thames, 17, of Decatur, was arrested and charged with two counts of grand larceny. Robinson, also 17, of Newton, was arrested and charged with grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny.

The individuals are “no strangers to law enforcement,” according to Elliott.

Elliott said a 13-year-old male from Decatur was also arrested on a conspiracy charge but will not be charged as an adult. Elliott said the juvenile was released to the custody of his mother.

The three were arrested in connection with an incident reported on Jan. 2 around 3 p.m. at Philadelphia Gun and Pawn on Posey Avenue. Lyons said employees noticed inventory was missing and viewed camera footage, which showed several males entering the business and taking several rifles, Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons said.

Lyons said video evidence from the business shows the individuals came in on several instances within a week and stole from the store.

At approximately 3 p.m. on Jan. 2, employees noticed the same individuals return to the store “possibly to steal again,” Lyons said. 

“Officers were notified and responded to the business and made contact with four individuals,” Lyons said. 

Three were taken into custody, and a fourth, Thames, ran and got into a vehicle and fled the scene. Officers got a vehicle description and tag number and relayed it to Newton County officials where the vehicle was believed to be heading. 

That vehicle was stopped by the Newton County Sheriff's Department in Newton, where four more individuals were taken into custody for questioning, and all were brought back to the Philadelphia Police Department, Lyons said. 

After interviewing and gathering additional information, Lyons said Thames and Robinson were charged along with the 13-year-old. He said the others were released after confirming they had no involvement in the crime.

“Two others are being sought in connection to the thefts as well,” Lyons said.

In total, seven long rifles were reported taken from the business. Lyons said two have been recovered, and police hope to recover the rest as soon as possible. 

“Some of the weapons have already been sold on the streets,” Lyons said. “We plan to have those recovered as well.”

Anyone with information on this or another potential crime should call CrimeStoppers at 1-855-485-8477 or PPD at 601-656-2131.