TO READERS: This story has been revised to correctly describe the crimes at the gun stores as burglaries.

Authorities have arrested two Des Moines men connected to a string of recent gun store burglaries around the metro area.

David Marken Aikoriegie and Myles Jordan Maricle Pena appeared in federal court Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer on charges related to a series of gun store burglaries in Urbandale and Clive, according to a news release.

In total, 31 handguns and seven automatic weapons were stolen during the three burglaries. In Clive alone, 28 handguns and the seven automatic weapons were stolen.

Clive Police Chief Michael Venema told the Register Tuesday night that only six weapons have been recovered so far from the two Rangemasters burglaries. And despite the two suspects being caught, more weapons out on the streets worries him.

"In one way, it feels really good that our suspects are in custody," Venema explained, "but the downside is that there are still a lot of these weapons on the street."

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Aikoriegie's criminal complaint states that between Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, he burglarized and stole firearms from JLM Gun Shoppe in Urbandale as well as Rangemasters in Clive on two separate occasions. The complaint also alleges he sold some of the stolen firearms.

Aikoriegie is charged with three counts of theft of firearms from a federal firearm licensee and one count of unlawful possession, receipt and sale of a stolen firearm.

Pena's criminal complaint alleges that on or around Dec. 14, he sold a stolen firearm to another individual, which had been previously stolen from one of the burglaries alleged to have been committed by Aikoriegie.

Additionally, the complaint states during a search warrant at his home, Pena was found in possession of a firearm and marijuana. He is charged with unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm.

In both criminal complaints, it states how Pena met with a "cooperating defendant" on Dec. 14 in a Walgreens parking lot, located on East 14th Street and University Avenue, where a black Smith and Wesson M&P was sold for $600 in exchange for $150 and "a quantity of marijuana."

The handgun, which was stolen from Rangemasters, was later seized by Des Moines police during an encounter with the defendant on Dec. 16, the complaint says. Venema credited the "attentive" Des Moines officers' work.

In the Dec. 14 Rangemaster's burglary, Aikoriegie was accompanied by a 17-year-old male who is in custody for theft and possession of weapons charges, Venema said.

His identity is not being revealed at this time, he added, but Clive police is seeking additional charges.

With dozens of other remaining stolen weapons on the streets, however, Venema stressed the importance of notifying local law enforcement if any are located.

"Get them off the street before someone gets hurt by them, before their loved

ones get shot or their loved ones shoot someone else," he said. "They may be saving a loved one's life."

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How you can help:

Anyone with information about the stolen weapons is urged to contact the following: