So. Cal. burglary suspects who targeted gun stores finally arrested after a 9-month spree

LOS ANGELES – Six men are anticipated to make their initial appearances this afternoon, facing a criminal complaint alleging that they carried out a 9-month burglary spree throughout southern California using stolen vehicles as rams to gain entry into firearms stores and stealing over 300 firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The following defendants, who have been held in state custody, are charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to steal firearms from the premises of a federal firearms licensee and are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana:

• Cross Arjay Goree, a.k.a. “C3”, 18, of Lake Elsinore;
• Caine Aiden Goree, 22, of Lake Elsinore;
• Kenneth Gilmore III, a.k.a. “Kenny”, 19, of Las Vegas;
• Brendan Markel Hawkins, 19, of Lake Elsinore;
• Calvin Logan Gray, 18, of Murietta; and
• Kendall Eric Johnson, a.k.a. “K3”, 23, of Lake Elsinore

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, the defendants burglarized or attempted to burglarize nine firearms stores wherein they used stolen vehicles to ram into the storefronts, smashed display cases, and fled with the stolen firearms in other stolen vehicles.  As noted in the affidavit, the following firearms stores were involved:

• Chaparral Coin and Gun in Murrieta, California, on October 9, 2023, where 43 firearms were stolen;
• Poway Weapons and Gear in Poway, California, on March 25, 2024, where 78 firearms were stolen;
• Ammo Bros in Ontario, California on June 12, 2024 (attempted);
• Fallbrook Guns and Ammo in Fallbrook, California on June 13, 2024 (attempted);
• Firearms Unknown in Oceanside, California on June 17, 2024, where 33 firearms were stolen;
• Ammo Bros in Riverside, California on June 18, 2024, where 25 firearms were stolen;
• Camarillo Gun Store in Camarillo, California on July 1, 2024, where 63 firearms were stolen;
• Smokin Barrel Gun Store in Simi Valley, California on July 9, 2024 (attempted); and
• Fowler’s Gun Room in Orange, California, on July 13, 2024, where 70 firearms were stolen.

 According to the affidavit, the stolen firearms were being sold on the black market and were found in the possession of others in separate criminal investigations.

On July 13, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at a residence believed to be where Cross, Caine, and Johnson resided. While officers were announcing their presence, they allegedly observed Gilmore and Cross fleeing from the back of the residence, and both were later detained. During their search, officers allegedly found a firearm that had been stolen from Poway Weapons and Gear, a firearm that had been stolen from Chaparral Coin and Gun, two firearms that had been stolen from the Camarillo Gun Store, and at least 45 firearms that had been stolen from Fowler’s Gun Room.

Arraignment is expected in the coming weeks.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, the defendants would each face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.

The ATF, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and Orange Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brittney M. Harris and Kyle W. Kahan of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this matter.