8 Pittsburgh Teens Charged In Massive Gun Theft Conspiracy

PITTSBURGH, PA — An 18-year-old man and seven minors have been arrested in connection with the thefts and illegal transfers of numerous firearms resulting from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio gun store burglaries.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Thursday that members of the group have been charged with felony corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, burglary, illegal transfer of firearms, illegal possession of firearms and related offenses.

Sunday said the group is responsible for thefts of 79 firearms taken in burglaries at gun shops in Allegheny County and Ohio. Although officials recovered most of the firearms, about two dozen weapons are unaccounted for.

Chalais Ramey, 19, is the only defendant currently charged as an adult.

“These crimes alarmed the community — and for good reason. Any and all thefts of firearms should be perceived as direct threats to public safety," Sunday said in a statement.

"I am very pleased that, along with our partners, we can say today that we know who was responsible and we are holding them accountable with very serious charges. Due to many of these being juvenile allegations at the moment, I am limited in what can be said publicly, but I assure Pennsylvanians that we are not treating these crimes as child’s play.”

The seven defendants charged as juveniles were between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time of the crimes. They are all males.

The charges regard a burglary at Allegheny Arms in Bethel Park on January 13, 2025. During that break-in, 56 firearms were stolen. On the same day, members of the group attempted to burglarize two other gun stores in Allegheny County.

On January 19, 2025, members of the group broke into Expert Outfitters in North Lima, Ohio, and stole 23 firearms.

The group used stolen vehicles during the burglaries and attempted burglaries.

Corrupt organization charges were filed this week regarding the Ohio matter, as the organization was based in and conspired in Allegheny County. The burglary and related offenses are being investigated by Ohio officials.