2 Arrested In Lithia Gun Store Burglary

LITHIA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of two men in connection with an April burglary at a Lithia gun store. Deputies say they recovered 39 firearms during the arrest, 22 of which had been stolen during the Ace Hardware store burglary.

According to the sheriff’s office, Garrett Mitchell, 20, and Christopher Jenke, 33, were linked to the April 7 burglary during the course of the agency’s investigation. Detectives say some of the firearms connected to the burglary were recovered during a warrant search of Mitchell’s home on Carson White Lane in Ruskin on Wednesday.

The firearms recovered included 37 handguns. Fourteen of those guns had serial numbers removed, an email from the agency said. Deputies also seized two rifles, a mask and gloves.

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Twenty-two of the guns recovered were tracked to the Ace Hardware store burglary, the sheriff’s office said.

“Due to 14 of the firearms having the serial numbers removed, further investigation will be needed to confirm,” the agency reported. Detectives say the 14 guns are the same make, model and caliber reported stolen in the original crime.

The burglary at the 10415 Highway 39 S. Ace Hardware occurred around 3:55 a.m. April 7. Deputies said the burglars cut through a chain lock on the garden center and then smashed a glass door to gain access. Once inside the garden center, they cut another lock and entered the store proceeding to its rear where a gun shop is located.

Mitchell and Jenke both faces armed burglary and 46 counts of grand theft firearm. Mitchell was also charged with 14 counts of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.

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Photos courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office