2 adults, 2 minors charged in connection to series of burglaries at gun shops across Maryland

MARYLAND ( DC News Now ) — Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced on Tuesday that four people have been indicted on charges in connection to a series of burglaries at gun stores across the Maryland area.

Officials said from December of 2023 to March of 2024, the group was involved in at least ten burglaries and attempted burglaries of Federal Firearm Licensee stores across Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties.

“We must put a stop to this and get these guns off our streets,” Brown said.

Officials said that around 81 guns and 10 gun replicas were stolen during the crime spree, causing businesses to lose over $50,000 in inventory.

Brown said investigators discovered the group (aged 16 to 20) would hit the stories late at night into the early morning and would use a pry bat to break in.

The investigation also revealed that in several instances the group attempted to sell or trade the stolen guns on social media and on at least two occasions the group was robbed.

“These stolen guns have passed hands in the hands of children and others who are not allowed to possess them. This is unacceptable,” Brown said.

The following people were indicted:

• Cy’juan Hemsley, 19, from District Heights was charged with 200 counts.
• Mahkiya McQuinn, 20, from Baltimore, was charged with 189 counts.
• A 17-year-old boy, from Temple Hills was charged with 199 counts.
• A 16-year-old boy, from Upper Marlboro was charged with 205 counts.

Officials said that six of the guns had been recovered. Five of them were found in Washington, D.C. Investigators were working to locate the other stolen weapons.

“The reality is these stolen guns made their way into our communities, so it has always been a two-part mission: find those responsible and find the guns. We found the people and hear this: break the law and you will be held accountable,” said Brown, in a release.

Officials said the group was charged as adults and were being held without bond.

“These arrests, achieved through local and federal law enforcement collaboration, highlight the importance of teamwork in ensuring community safety. It is deeply troubling that some of those charged are juveniles. The use of firearms by young individuals is particularly concerning, and accountability must follow,” Prince George’s County Police Department Chief Malik Aziz said in a news release.

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