Officials: Stolen gun linked to Elmira attempted murder

• Four of 49 guns recovered from gun store theft.
• Three Elmira residents face federal charges as well as local charges.
• Two of three Elmira residents are now in federal custody.
• Officials believe some of the 45 missing guns may have been shipped to New York City.

HORSEHEADS – Federal charges are pending in addition to the local charges for three Elmira residents accused in a Horseheads gun shop robbery last fall, and a reward is being offered to help find the missing guns.

Of the 49 guns stolen, four have been recovered, including one that had a connection to a June 1 attempted murder in Elmira, U.S. Attorney William Hochul said at a news conference Monday at the Horseheads Police Department.

"Members of the public wonder how guns end up in the hands of criminals and are used in crimes," Hochul said.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for anyone who has information about the whereabouts of any of the stolen weapons.

"This is a high-priority ATF case. We're interested in recovering these firearms and getting them off the street," said Scott Heagney, resident agent-in-charge in the Rochester office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"Call your local police department (with information), and they will act on it. Time is of the essence. These guns have been out there for a while."

Three Elmira residents were charged locally earlier this month in connection with the October gun store robbery.

Zachary Z. Smith, 26, of West Church Street, and Douglas J. Church, 22, of Franklin Street, were charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny. Brianna M. Lowe, 19, of West Church Street, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

They are accused in connection with a break-in and theft Oct. 16 at Scott's Guns, 306 Watkins Road in the Village of Horseheads.

On Monday, Hochul announced that all three face additional federal charges of conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, and possession of stolen firearms.

Smith and Church are each additionally charged with illegal sale of firearms. They are in federal custody without bail.

Lowe has been released on bail.

Prosecutors will seek indictments from a federal grand jury within the next few weeks, Hochul said.

Hochul was joined at the news conference by Chemung County District Attorney Weeden Wetmore and representatives of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office, state police, and Elmira, Elmira Heights and West Elmira police departments.

Local charges are pending, but the case is in the hands of federal prosecutors now, Wetmore said.

"We were informed the U.S. Attorney's Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were interested in the case," he said. "I said, 'Let's go for it.' The proliferation of stolen firearms is a significant problem."

One of the guns turned up at the scene of a June 1 Sullivan Street shooting, Wetmore said.

Joshua T. Demellier, 25, was charged with attempted murder in that case, but police aren't sure whether the gun found in the vicinity and traced back to the Horseheads theft is the one used in the shooting, Wetmore said.

Officials believe some of the guns may have been shipped to New York City and others may still be in the local area.