Benitez-Ramirez Charged

A brazen theft of firearms from a local pawn shop has led to the arrest of a 28-year-old Plano man, Christian Alfredo Benitez-Ramirez. He has been charged with stealing more than a dozen guns from a Cash America Pawn in Duncanville, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

According to the complaint, on Jan. 30, Mr. Benitez-Ramirez allegedly entered the pawn shop, walked to the rear of the store, and attempted to open the sliding door of a firearm display cabinet. When the door didn’t open, he hoisted himself over the counter and attempted to gather an armful of firearms from a rack on the wall.

The defendant saw that the firearms were attached to the wall via a cable and whipped out a pocketknife to cut the cords. When that didn’t work, Mr. Benitez-Ramirez pulled the cable and attachment from the wall, gathered up an armful of firearms, and – with additional guns still attached to the cable dragging behind him – exited the store and loaded the firearms into a Honda CR-V.

Cash America employees told law enforcement that when they saw the defendant behind the counter, they asked if he worked there, and the defendant answered that he did. Not recognizing him, several employees pressed store panic buttons. The store reported five shotguns, one pistol, and seven rifles as stolen.

Mr. Benitez-Ramirez was charged via criminal complaint with theft from a federal firearms licensee and arrested at his residence on Monday. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez that afternoon. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Benitez-Ramirez is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Damien Diggs is prosecuting the case. The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement to combating firearms theft and related crimes in Texas.

The theft of firearms from licensed dealers is a serious offense that poses a significant threat to public safety. The case against Mr. Benitez-Ramirez serves as a reminder of the importance of securing firearms and preventing their theft. As the investigation and prosecution of this case continue, the community can be assured that law enforcement is working tirelessly to prevent and respond to firearms-related crimes.

RELATED: Plano Pawn Shop Gun Thief Busted by ATF