PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Sam Rabadi announced that Samuel Bozochovic, age 36, of Williamsport, PA was charged by criminal complaint with stealing handguns from a federally-licensed gun store in Muncy, PA.

According to the criminal complaint, Bozochovic allegedly broke into the R&J Welch, LLC gun store in the early morning hours of February 8, 2017 and stole 11 handguns from the inventory. Five of the stolen firearms were recovered during a search of Bozochovic’s apartment by law enforcement, but the remaining six have not been recovered as of yet.

“Gun thieves funnel firearms onto our streets, arming criminals who all too often use those guns in acts of violence against our residents. ATF will identify, pursue, and arrest individuals who threaten our communities by stealing firearms from ATF licensed gun dealers,” said Rabadi.

The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur, United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania.

“Gun thieves are a major source of weapons that make their way into the hands of criminals,” said United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “I commend the diligent work of the ATF agents and Pennsylvania State Police troopers who investigated this case and whose quick response led to the identification and apprehension of Bozochovic and the recovery of many of the stolen firearms, taking them off the street and out of the cycle of violence.”

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.