Two arrested in connection with burglary; 22 stolen guns found

Published 12:15 am Tuesday, October 9, 2018

NATCHEZ — Two men face charges in connection to a Saturday burglary that led to the discovery of 22 stolen guns, Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said.

On Saturday, Natchez police officers responded to a report of a burglary on Auburn Avenue, after a witness reported seeing a red Toyota Tacoma parked in front of a house with an unknown man carrying several firearms and putting them in the back of the pickup truck, Armstrong said.

The witness told officers the driver of the truck got nervous and left the area, Armstrong said.

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Officers later spoke to the owner of the house who told them her front door was open when she got home, but she was not concerned

“When the police informed her of the situation,” Armstrong said, “she went into the den and noticed that the gun safe was open and most of the firearms were missing. There was no sign of forced entry. The victim said the rear door may have been unlocked.”

The victim also said an undisclosed amount of cash was missing from the safe.

When Natchez Police Department Capt. Scott Frye arrived, he found several more firearms in a wooded area, Armstrong said.

“Based on the investigation, officers were able to locate more guns from an abandoned house on Brenham Avenue,” Armstrong said. “Overall, officers recovered 22 of the stolen guns.”

On Sunday, police arrested Albert Chatman, 24, and charged him with burglary and Cartrell Harris, 61, and charged him with accessory after the fact, Armstrong said.

“This case was quickly solved because of the public’s assistance,” Armstrong said. “If the public would not have been so quick to report what they saw, this case may not have been solved. These guns that were stolen would produce a large amount of fire power and in the wrong hands, tragedy would be sure to follow.”