HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — Police have identified a suspect whom they said stole dozens of guns.
Keith Roberts, 18, is wanted for taking the weapons from the Terry Street home of a former police chief in Helena-West Helena.
It’s possible others were involved.
Police said they’re gathering leads daily about the burglary that took place at the home, but people on the street said they’re still afraid.
Neighbors said they’re tired of hearing about teenagers committing crimes in their city.
“Young people have nothing to do, they’re on the street,” Johnny Weaver said.
Police said it’s possible Roberts is in Jonesboro.
“They’ve interviewed probably some 10-plus potential suspects, and Mr. Roberts’ name came out of that, and there was some credible information that did lead them to believe that he had some knowledge about the burglary and that he may have been in possession of some of those stolen weapons,” Police Chief Virgil Green said.
This isn’t Roberts’ first encounter with the law. Green said the teen was in trouble before on juvenile misdemeanor charges.
Green said the stolen weapons investigation also led officers to three suspects arrested in a separate incident that happened earlier this year.
“Back on January 29th, we had a residential burglary that took place on South 7th here in Helena where a lot of electronics were stolen, TVs, video games and things of that nature, during the course of the investigators interviewing these three suspects that were person of interests in the stolen weapons, the investigators uncovered that,” Green said.
Police said the reason those suspects were not charged in the stolen guns incident is because they do not have enough evidence to charge them.
Neighbors said it’s frustrating knowing innocent people are becoming crime victims.
“It’s a deep concern,” Weaver said.
Green said it appears some people bought the guns not knowing they were stolen.