The indictment of four individuals for their alleged involvement in a spree of gun shop thefts across Maryland has revealed a string of burglaries that left more than 80 firearms stolen and several businesses damaged. The accused include 19-year-old Cy'Juan Hemsley from District Heights and 20-year-old Makhiya McQuinn-Woodley from Baltimore, along with two juveniles, aged 16 and 17, from Temple Hills and Upper Marlboro respectively, as reported by CBS News Baltimore.
Authorities detailed that starting on Christmas Eve 2023 and continuing until early March, the culprits were linked to 10 separate incidents which include attempted and successful robberies at eight gun shops. It's estimated that the thefts and damages to these stores total around $50,000. The intensive investigation led to uncovering some of the suspects flaunting the stolen guns on Instagram, a platform they also allegedly used to sell the firearms. Five of the stolen guns were quickly recovered in Washington, D.C., with one more found soon after, according to CBS News Baltimore.
Amal Awad, the Anne Arundel County Police Chief, condemned the disruptions and dangers these crimes imposed on law-abiding businesses, especially during the festive season. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown echoed the sentiments, expressing concerns about public safety as these firearms often end up "It's when these guns fall into the hands of those who are banned from possessing them." Brown also warned that additional arrests could be made in connection to these crimes: "You will be found and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," he said, per CBS News Baltimore.
The case, to be prosecuted in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, has roots in rival groups targeting the accused due to the stolen firearms. Katie Dorian, chief of the OAG's criminal division, mentioned a particular incident where a juvenile defendant fired their gun during a robbery, sparking anger among their associates for not using deadly force to defend their illicit organization. This twist on violence speaks to the ongoing battle for supremacy in a contraband ecosystem fraught with both youthful indiscretion and hardened criminal acts, Dorian shared, as reported by WMAR-2 News.
Efforts to recover the remaining stolen firearms continue in earnest, with authorities calling on the community to report any pertinent information that may aid their mission to root out the circulation of these illegally obtained guns. The anonymous tip lines for Ann Arundel County Police at 410-222-4700 and Prince George's County Police at 1-866-411-TIPS.
