Olney PD recovered firearms in Jan. Burglary Bust

Olney Police recovered weapons associated with a burglary at a residence on W. Springcreek Road Jan. 16.

Olney Police Chief Dan Birbeck said the recovery of the weapons led to the arrest of three suspects—Antonio Tellez, Eric Aranda and Jamarkus Steverson—who were charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a first-degree felony, Burglary of a Habitation, a second-degree felony, and Theft of Firearms a state jail felony.

“The homeowner reported that unknown persons broke a window, entered the residence, and during the investigation, the homeowner reported multiple firearms stolen. The owner provided [Olney Police] officers with a detailed list of the missing guns with corresponding serial numbers,” Birbeck said. “The following day, investigators received information that the stolen weapons had been advertised on Snapchat. Based on this information, the owner of the Snapchat account was identified as Antonio Tellez. We obtained a warrant and arrested Mr. Tellez for possession of stolen firearms.”

Birbeck said they continued to move forward with the case and was led to a second suspect connected to the burglary.

“Olney Police were able to identify a second suspect connected to the offense. Eric Aranda was located and brought to the Olney Police Department for questioning. During the interview, Mr. Aranda confessed to being involved in the planning of the crime and that he was the driver during the burglary and theft of the firearms. Mr. Aranda was arrested and transported to the Young County Jail,” Birbeck said.

While Olney Police continued to build the case, they became aware of a third suspect identified as Jamarkus Steverson, who had a felony warrant out on him for the 2020 case involving aggravated assault.

Olney Police obtained two search warrants for 1321A Third Street in Graham and 1015 W. Payne Street in Olney to link the suspects to the stolen property.

Concerning evidence Birbeck said, “During the execution of the warrant in Graham, it was confirmed that the pictures on Snapchat were taken at this location, which further connected Mr. Tellez to the crime. During the second warrant executed in Olney, several stolen firearms were hidden under a wooden walkway between the house and a closed-in garage. Mr. Steverson was taken into custody and transported to the Olney Police Department, where investigators questioned him. During the interview, Mr. Steverson confessed his role in planning the burglary and theft of firearms.”

The Olney Police Department has filed the case with the 90th Judicial district attorney’s Office.