PITTSBURGH - Authorities say they have dismantled a criminal group based in western Pennsylvania responsible for stealing dozens of firearms from gun shops, including a store in North Lima, Ohio. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the arrests of seven juveniles and one adult on Thursday.

The group faces charges for a string of burglaries and attempted break-ins that took place in early 2025. Investigators said the group targeted gun stores in Allegheny County and across the state line in Ohio. In total, 79 firearms were stolen during the crime spree.

On Jan. 19, 2025, members of the group targeted Expert Outfitters on Market Street in North Lima. According to Beaver Township police, the suspects arrived around 6:30 a.m. in a stolen vehicle. One of the individuals used a gun to shoot out the glass window of the front door to get inside.

Once inside, the suspects fired more rounds into a gun cabinet to break the glass. The group stole 23 handguns during the incident, which lasted less than two minutes. Officers arriving at the scene found the main entrance gate pried off and the storefront shattered.

Lead investigators in Ohio worked with Pennsylvania officials after a lead emerged involving a suspect who dropped an identification card or a personal document at the scene. That evidence led police to a home in Pittsburgh that had been searched a week earlier following a similar crime in Bethel Park.

The investigation revealed that the organization was based in Allegheny County. On Jan. 13, 2025, the group allegedly burglarized Allegheny Arms in Bethel Park, taking 56 firearms. On that same day, they also tried to break into two other gun shops in the same county but were unsuccessful.

Law enforcement officers have recovered 55 of the stolen weapons so far. However, approximately 24 firearms remain missing. Attorney General Sunday noted that the theft of these weapons represents a significant threat to public safety.

"The evidence shows that these brazen burglaries and thefts were deliberate and premeditated," Sunday said. He added that his office would not treat the crimes as "child’s play" and intended to hold the group accountable.

Chalais Ramey, 19, of Pittsburgh, is currently the only defendant being charged as an adult. Records show Ramey was booked into the Allegheny County Jail early Thursday morning. He is being held on charges that include corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy.

The seven other defendants are males between the ages of 14 and 17. Because they are being charged as juveniles, their names have not been released to the public. The group faces numerous felony counts related to the illegal transfer and possession of firearms.

While the Office of Attorney General will prosecute the corrupt organization and conspiracy charges, officials in Ohio continue to investigate the specific burglary and related offenses that occurred in North Lima.

Superintendent Christopher Kearns of the Allegheny County Police Department said the actions of the group have already had "tragic consequences" in the community. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assisted in the year-long investigation.