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Three arrested for burglary of Kettle Creek Arms here, some weapons still sought
Sentario A. Gartrell, 20, and William Cofer, 19, both of Washington, and Crystal Mae Wheeler, 24, of Elberton, were arrested and charged with felony burglary. Washington Police say the trio broke into Kettle Creek Arms and Sporting Goods on West Robert Toombs Avenue sometime in the early hours of Saturday and stole some 30 to 40 handguns and long guns. A turkey hunter discovered the broken door just before 6 a.m. and called 911. Store owner Boots Gunter said that the thieves broke out only the front door, and did not destroy any of the display cases as they emptied them of handguns. Washington Police Investigator Lt. J.D. Nelson brought in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and began his own investigation. In a conversation with an informant, Nelson said, he received information that Sentario Gartell had been seen at "The Corner" on Whitehall Street about 2:30 that morning trying to sell handguns. Around noon Saturday, Nelson said, he spotted Gartrell in the Baltimore section wearing a hooded jacket. "It was too warm for that jacket, and as I watched, it looked like he was showing a weapon to someone." Nelson called for backup and followed Gartrell and suspect William Cofer Jr. to a basement in Baltimore. The two were searched, and at least one stolen gun was recovered, Nelson said. Gartrell and Cofer were apprehended and charged with burglary. Nelson said that further investigation revealed the alleged participation of Crystal Wheeler as driver for the burglary. "A white female was seen with the two subjects driving around selling weapons." Her description was put out to police agencies for her arrest, and on Sunday night, Wheeler came to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office."She was read her rights and she confessed," Nelson said. The vehicle she was driving contained 19 stolen weapons, which Wheeler allegedly tried to scrub of fingerprints. Gartrell is held on $15,000 bond, and Cofer is being held on a probation violation. Wheeler is out on $15,000 bond.
Although many of the stolen weapons were recovered, not all were. "There are still many of these stolen weapons unaccounted for," Nelson said. "And we need the community's help. We need information on the whereabouts of these weapons. A tip from someone in the community gave us the first big break in this case, and we need more help to get these guns off our streets."
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