Clive, Urbandale Gun Store Burglaries: 2 Des Moines Men Arrested

DES MOINES, IA — Two men arrested in connection with area gun store burglaries appeared in federal court Tuesday in connection with the crimes. Meanwhile, only a few of the 38 weapons stolen have been recovered and authorities are hoping people with information about the stolen weapons or their resale will contact them.

A U.S. Department of Justice news release said David Marken Aikoriegie and Myles Jordan Maricle Pena, both of Des Moines, face charges related to the burglaries at JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale, where three handguns were taken on Nov. 16, and Rangemasters in Clive, where 28 handguns and seven automatic weapons were taken in separate burglaries Dec. 2 and 14.

Pena allegedly sold one of the weapons that had been stolen to a third party around Dec. 14, according to the criminal complaint. He is charged with possession and sale of a stolen firearm and an additional charge of being an unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm after law enforcement officials found a firearm and marijuana in his home during a search.

Aikorgie, who reportedly committed the three burglaries, has been charged with three counts of firearms theft from a federal firearm licensee and one count of possession and sale of a stolen firearm. He also reportedly sold some of those firearms.

Officials said Aikorgie was accompanied on the burglaries by a male juvenile who also has been taken into custody and faces theft and weapons charges.

The case remains under investigation by the Clive and Des Moines police departments; U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Anyone with information about the stolen weapons is asked to call Clive Police at 515-278-1312 during daytime business hours or Westcom dispatch anytime at 515-222-3321, or the federal ATF tipline at 800-283-4867 (800-ATF-GUNS). Information also may be provided anonymously via the ATF tips website.

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