Man accused of stealing guns from firearm shops

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities in Montgomery County say a dangerous thief who stole several guns from two firearm shops is now behind bars.

Andrew Rocco was arraigned in district court Monday afternoon. He's left police scrambling to find the guns he allegedly sold.

Authorities have recovered two, including, what Dirty Harry would describe as one of the most powerful handguns on the planet.

The .44 Ruger is one of three guns, including an AK-47, stolen from Dells Firearm Specialists in Hatfield.

Another nine guns were stolen from Modern Tactical in Lansdale.

Police say 33-year-old Andrew Rocco of Lansdale has admitted to burglarizing the gun shops and then selling the weapons.

Police say he unleashed a potential wave of violence that's already started.

A stolen gun was allegedly used by 31-year-old Franklin Butler earlier this month when he got into an argument with his girlfriend in Norristown.

Norristown Police Chief Mark Talbot says, "Apparently they were in some sort of dispute and he decided to express his anger by firing several shots through the home, while his ex-girlfriend and several children were inside."

Butler allegedly told police he bought the gun from Rocco for $500.

Investigators say a 49-year-old Philadelphia man who bought three Glocks from Rocco was himself killed in October.

Police have also arrested three men who allegedly shared the stolen Ruger .44 magnum.

Three weeks after it was stolen From Dell's they showed up at the store to buy .44 caliber ammunition. The owner's wife saw a cell phone picture one of them had of the stolen gun.

Confidential informants helped lead police to them and Rocco.

He was already in jail for running up over $1,400 in charges on stolen credit cards.

Police say he has confessed to the gun thefts. But, the damage is done. Ten of them are still out there, likely in the hands of people who aren't able to buy guns legally.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said, "It's a reminder that this is a dangerous world, and this is a dangerous business. And it highlights for me the need to get these guns off the street and into law enforcement custody."

Police are asking anyone who might know anything to help get those guns off the streets.

Rocco was arraigned here on burglary, theft and firearms violations. He is being held on $1 million bail.