Teenagers charged in break-in and theft at Las Cruces shooting range

LAS CRUCES — Four teenagers are facing multiple charges over a break-in and burglary at an indoor shooting range in the middle of town, and Las Cruces police say more suspects could be apprehended as the investigation continues.

At about 2 a.m. Saturday, police say as many as eight boys crashed a stolen vehicle through a gate and a roll-up dock entrance at Strykers Shooting World, which operates six lanes and offers classes as well as firearm rentals for use on-site. The business has been in operation since 2013.

The store was also targeted in July, by a single individual, store owner Shawna Pfeiffer said.

“It’s always in the back of your mind,” she told the Journal. “I’m glad they captured some of the kids and recovered some of the merchandise.”

Four boys have been arrested and charged in connection with the burglary, ranging in age from 14 to 16. The suspects, unidentified because of their ages, were arrested Monday, according to a news release from the Las Cruces Police Department.

One 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds have been initially charged with aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property amounting to more than $1,000, larceny involving firearms amounting to more than $2,500, tampering with evidence and unlawful possession of a handgun by someone under the age of 19.

In addition to those charges, a 16-year-old defendant is facing one count of receiving stolen property valued between $2,500 and $20,000.

Security camera footage captured images of several people with masks over their faces and hoods inside the store. Police allege the suspects drove a stolen Kia Forte to breach the gate and store entrance, left the car at the scene and made off in another stolen vehicle — also a Kia Forte.

Kia automobiles have been popular targets for theft nationwide since a TikTok video in 2022 promoted a vulnerability in certain models. The use of social media to provide tutorials on the thefts and promote the so-called “Kia Challenge” led to calls from insurers and industry groups for TikTok and video streaming service YouTube to remove the videos.

A LCPD officer on patrol heard the business’ alarm but arrived on the scene after the burglars had left. The investigation began immediately in collaboration with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Police did not divulge how the suspects were identified, as the investigation is continuing, but said the four individuals were arrested Monday and that several firearms were recovered after police executed a search warrant. The defendants were transferred to the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office.

Pfeiffer expressed frustration over laws and court procedures she said made it difficult to detain juveniles accused of crimes and too easy, she said, for findings of incompetence to scuttle criminal cases. She has been a prominent voice in the local business community supporting public calls for statutory reforms by Police Chief Jeremy Story.

“It’s systematic as far as everything we’ve been talking about as far as juvenile crime,” she said.