Teenager arrested for burglary at gun store

RIDGELAND — A teenager has been arrested in connection with the burglary of a gun store here last week and is being charged as an adult.

The suspect, Thomas John Schaffer, Jr., 17, of Ridgeland, has been arrested and charged as an adult with one count of burglary of a commercial building and two counts of possession of a stolen weapon, according to Police Chief Brian Myers.

Schaffer’s bond has been set at $200,000.00. He remains in custody at the Madison County Detention Center.

On Thursday, May 1, at 3:18 a.m., Ridgeland officers responded to Two Gun Tactical, 287 Highway 51, after receiving notification of a burglary alarm activation.  

“Officers arrived within one minute and discovered a shattered window where entry was apparently made into the business,” Myers said.

Due to the possibility of a barricaded suspect in a business holding firearms and ammunition, extra precaution was taken to ensure officer safety. 

Myers said Ridgeland PD’s Special Response Team was activated, and the business was safely cleared and secured with a drone operator from the Madison Police Department. 

According to Myers, video surveillance of the business showed a lone burglar entered the business and took two firearms from a display case and quickly exited the business through the broken window. 

The crime scene was thoroughly processed, and an investigation was launched that led to the arrest of Schaffer on Tuesday, May 6, at 4 p.m. at his Greenfield Drive home near Northpark. 

Both stolen firearms have been recovered, Myers said.

“Special thanks to the Madison Police Department as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for their assistance in this investigation,” Myers said.