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Montgomery County Police Announce An Arrest In Recent Burglaries Of Two Gun Stores

By Justin Finch

LANSDALE, Pa.(CBS) -- Thirty-three-year-old Andrew Rocco left a Montgomery County District Court with a $1 million cash bail.

Rocco, of Lansdale, is an electrician by trade, and authorities allege he used that skill to trip alarms at two gun stores over the summer, and make off with 12 guns.

During his arraignment Monday afternoon, prosecutors said he was released on bail for drug offenses when he allegedly committed the gun crimes.

Rocco is accused of stealing two guns and one rifle from "Dell's Firearms" in Hatfield in June; and in nearby Lansdale, authorities say he stole four Glock handguns, two older-model revolvers, one rifle, one shotgun and a 9 mm handgun from "Modern Tactical" gun store in July.

So far, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said that gun and a 44-caliber Ruger from Dell's have been recovered, and the search is on for more.

"Ten guns are still out there, and we hope that they can be recovered without injury."

Back on November 3rd, Franklin Lamar Butler is accused of opening fire at his estranged ex-girlfriend's Norristown home using that stolen handgun.

Risa Vetri Ferman says, "They're were seven shell casings. One bullet struck a wall less than three feet away from where child an eight-year-old child was sitting."

Butler reportedly later admitted that Rocco sold him the gun.

With help from police in Hatfield, Norristown and Lansdale, Ferman said that authorities are finding success in busting up the illegal gun straw buying ring.

The stolen 44-caliber was traced to a man named James Mulbah. Authorities say he also identified Rocco as the seller.

Arrest records note the purchase price for both weapons at about $500.

Rocco also identified one straw buyer as a man who was killed in Philadelphia on October 14th.

Rocco was arrested last week on unrelated charges, and later admitted to some of the gun thefts and sale.

He is due back in Montgomery County Court on November 24.

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