INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD said the handguns they found inside a house during a search warrant in the 3300 block of East New York Street, near South Rural Street, on March 12 were reported stolen from Gary, Indiana.
The AR-15 they found inside the house was reported stolen March 9 from a local gun shop in Indianapolis. That's also the same day 500 Guns reported nine AR-15s had been stolen from their shop.
One of the stolen AR-15s was found by police under a mattress in the home on East New York Street. Officers searched the home and found that weapon, a handgun, cocaine and marijuana.
A 17-year-old, two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old were arrested following the search.
Detectives also found a handgun in the waistband of a 14-year-old.
West side community organizer Olgen Williams said he's concerned about the parenting of these children.
"Where are the parents of these children, if they're living? What responsibility do parents have with these children making these bad choices? Society needs to stop patting them on their hand and saying they're just kids and let them do the same thing over and over," Williams said.
13News reached out to IMPD about any connections to the AR-15 that police may have discovered in the house and whether or not there is any connection with the attempted burglary at Indy Arms on the city's northeast side.
Both crimes are frustrating for Williams, especially since the accused are so young.
"What are they going to do with that kind of weapon? They are going to either sell it or shoot someone," Williams said.
Williams works a lot with young people. He said he was not surprised by the ages of the teens who were arrested.
"The 14-year-old has the same access to information as the 17-year-old. They've been pumped the same stuff," Williams said. "What I'm going to do is pray for our community, pray for the children and pray for the parents."
13News is awaiting responses from IMPD and 500 Guns after reaching out about the possible connection between these crimes.