16 Guns Stolen From Cleveland Cars, Two Suspects Wanted

CLEVELAND, TN, (WDEF)-Cleveland PD are looking for James "Andy" Evans and Tyler Maxwell who they believe are connected to 13 car burglaries.

Evie West, Cleveland PD,"Some of the cars are unlocked, getting in there, rummaging around, finding the firearm, selling these firearms to people on the street, then they are being taken away from the citizens who made good choices to the citizens that make bad choices."

West added the burglaries first started in February and cars with stickers celebrating gun ownership are being targeted.

She says social media has played a major role in helping track down suspects in recent months.

Evie West, Cleveland PD,"Every time we post something about a crime going on or suspects that we are looking for people are getting on there in the inbox message and letting us know and a lot times it leads us right to them".

At Posey Gun and Pawn in Cleveland gun experts say they are concerned about the security of weapons as well as stolen weapons being sold to them or other guns stores"

Chase Sneed, Posey Gun and Pawn of Cleveland,"We check every single gun that comes in the store, if we buy or sell it, we check to make sure it’s not stolen, it’s a huge concern, that is what we worry about most when stuff comes in we worry if its stolen or not, first thing we do is check".

Sneed says gun safes and security boxes are vital to keep your weapons safe from burglars.

Chase Sneed, Posey Gun and Pawn of Cleveland,"I think all guns should in safes at all times, besides the ones you keep next to your bed, but long guns I think safes are very important to keep in the household".

Both Posey Gun and Pawn and Cleveland PD tell News 12 they are concerned about these weapons surfacing at crime scenes or being sold illegally.

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911 Communications at 423 476 7511 and
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