Gun Thieves Caught
Being Rowdy With The Stolen Goods
by NewsChannel 5

Federal prosecutors today filed charges against four men in connection with the Williston gun shop burglary. The timing of last week's break in, and sheer volume of weapons taken, had police on edge. In tonight's Crimewatch -- NewsChannel Five's Stewart Ledbetter tells us police have found all of the stolen guns.

A second search since the b-j's break-in had confirmed even more stolen guns than were initially known-- including 3 assault rifles, shotguns, eight high-powered handguns and a German sniper rifle with scope.

According to an affidavit filed today in federal court, the break in the case came last weekend, in Madison, Connecticut. Police found a uvm student firing guns in the woods, which police traced to the bj's burglary. That led federal agents to search apartments in the Burlington area, and arrest four students in the case.

The uvm student -- Alex oranzo, lived in this house on loomis street. In a search last Sunday, agents say they found evidence of the theft -- and an indoor marijuana operation as well.

Noone answered the door when we stopped by, and neighbors who called themselves oranzo's friends weren't happy to see us.

"we think we have it all -- 20 firearms, a substantial amount of ammunition and miscellaneous stuff. We're pretty confident we've recovered everything. And relieved? Extremely relieved."

Assistant u-s attorney Charles Kirby s-in-- days before the columbine anniversary caused extra concern. But said the men wanted the guns for personal use and for resale. And intended to hurt no one. All but one are too young to legally buy a handgun.

Today -- they went before a federal judge at the courthouse in Burlington. After seeing a federal judge, the four accused are free to go, without bail. But that doesn't mean they have a whole lot of freedom tonight

UVM student Alex oranzo seen here and the 3 other men who allegedly helped steal and hide at least 20 firearms from a Williston gun shop were all told they must not travel outside Vermont Massachusetts or Connecticut...they're not allowed to say a word to each other and they all have to seek drug and alcohol abuse counseling...the lawyer for Robert szeklick admits drugs were a big part of his client's problem. And that's one reason he's waiving the next pre-trial hearing.

John Pacht, Szeklicki's lawyer "i frankly doubt there will be a trial hearing on the next date...we're more interested in getting my client the treatment he needs to resume being a productive member of society."