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3 teens arrested in Greenwood gun store burglary; police searching for 4th suspect

Surveillance video showed three people at U.S. Defense Solutions stealing guns and talking on a cellphone to a suspected lookout.

GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said three teenagers were arrested in a gun store robbery last month.

The Dec. 21 burglary happened at U.S. Defense Solutions at 5329 Mount Pleasant North St. in Greenwood, near County Line Road and Interstate 69.

Surveillance video showed three people in the store stealing guns and talking on a cellphone to a suspected lookout. Investigators said the thieves stole pistols, rifles, ammunition and other items, with a total value of around $81,000. 

Police were able to collect DNA evidence, shoeprints and discarded paper towels as evidence.

Investigators were also able to locate a stolen vehicle in a neighborhood east of the business. They were then able to track that vehicle back to one of the suspects. It turns out the vehicle was tracked to a Subway restaurant, and surveillance video there showed an employee using the car.

Yes, as you have seen on the news our gun store in Greenwood was broke into last night, it was our office space and they...

Posted by U.S. Defense Solutions -Greenwood on Thursday, December 21, 2023

From there, deputies arrested a 15- and 16-year-old, along with 18-year-old Ivan J. Bautista. Police are still working to identify and arrest a fourth suspect.

The sheriff's department said several of the weapons and other items stolen from the gun store were recovered as they searched several homes in Marion County.

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Bautista is facing charges of theft, burglary and entering a car without permission. According to court documents, Bautista admitted to the theft and even took a photo with one of the stolen weapons 10 minutes after the burglary.

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