Missouri gun theft suspect arrested during attempt to recross southern border

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The suspect in a Missouri gun store theft was arrested after an attempt to cross back into the U.S. from the southern border.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri Teresa Moore announced on Friday, April 26, that Frank Guereca, 22, was arrested on Thursday during an attempt to cross the southern border back into the U.S.

Court documents indicated that the arrest follows an indictment by a federal grand jury for stealing 41 firearms from a gun store in Raytown, Mo. Guereca was charged with a single count of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee. The indictment was returned under seal on Wednesday. It was unsealed and made public Friday.

“Today’s charges demonstrate the power of crime gun intelligence and cooperation with Mexican law enforcement to stem the flow of firearms from the U.S. into Mexico — where they arm the violent cartels that flood our communities with deadly drugs,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “By submitting information about recovered firearms to ATF’s eTrace system, Mexican law enforcement helped us link the alleged theft of firearms in Missouri to their international transport and recovery in Mexico.”

The federal indictment alleged Guereca aided and abetted others and stole firearms on June 16, 2023. All of the guns were pistols from various manufacturers and of various calibers. He and at least two others stole a U-Haul to carry the firearms.

Court records noted that one of the stolen pistols was recovered in November in Tracy, Calif. A second firearm was recovered in December in Chihuahua, Mexico. Finally, a third pistol was recovered in February in Juarez, Mexico.

“Mexican organized crime groups use firearms to commit heinous crimes against civilians and rival criminal groups,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Kansas City. “There is no safe hiding place for anyone engaged in illegal firearms trafficking to Mexico. Stemming the flow of illegal guns to Mexico is of the highest priority for ATF and we will work relentlessly to investigate firearm thefts in order to prevent and dismantle the flow of illegal firearms.”

Moore said Guereca was arrested on Thursday in an attempt to cross back into the U.S. from Mexico. Customs and Border Protection records revealed he had previously crossed the border about 20 times since the burglary and theft in June.

“We are committed to stanching the flow of illegal firearms on the black market, whether they’re trafficked within the United States or smuggled into Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore of the Western District of Missouri. “Stolen firearms often supply black market dealers and fuel more crime and violence. It’s critical that we hold to account everyone involved along this chain of criminal activity.”

An initial court appearance was held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday in El Paso.

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