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Second suspect arrested in connection to Tallahassee Gun and Pawn Shop burglary

Posted at 8:21 AM, Jun 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-11 08:01:06-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WTXL) — Police have arrested another suspect connected to a burglary where they say a group of people broke into a Tallahassee pawn shop and stole more than 20 guns.

According to court documents, Tallahassee police responded to a burglary in progress at Tallahassee Gun and Pawn Shop on South Monroe Street on May 31.

A witness told officers that he had seen a group of men in front of the business at approximately 3:30 a.m.

The witness went on to tell police that the group was large and consisted of about six to eight men.

While on scene, officers discovered the window of the shop had been smashed out.

Investigators then proceeded to collect surveillance video from the shop and surrounding businesses in the area.

Investigators say the the video showed the suspects running out of the store with large bags.

During the investigation, police received a Crime Stoppers tip about a Facebook chat were people were talking about burglarizing a pawn shop.

Authorities investigated the Facebook chat and connected some of the messages to 23-year-old Anthony Butler.

Police say Butler also posted a live Facebook video that showed him holding and playing with two semi-automatic handguns.

After looking at the Facebook video, investigators where able to identify some of the guns that had been stolen during the pawn shop burglary.

Based on the evidence, Butler was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility on June 4.

Following Butler's arrest, police continued investigating the burglary and learned that a total of 23 guns had been stolen from the shop.

Investigators discovered a group me chat room where the suspects where discussing burglarizing the pawn shop specifically.

Police also found a group of messages exchanged between Butler and a user with the name "Kelly."

Officers say they were speaking about what happened during the burglary mentioned some of the weapons that were stolen.

Documents say police ran "Kelly's" phone number in a database and were able to identify the suspect as 20-year-old Chayil Kelly.

Investigators also were able to confirm that this was the same person that was in the "Group Me Tallahassee Riot" chat prior to the burglary at Tallahassee Gun and Pawn Shop.

Based on evidence from the messages, Kelly was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility.

As of Thursday, she is being held without bond, facing 23 counts for grand theft of a firearm and a burglary charge.


According to court documents, Tallahassee police responded to a burglary in progress at Tallahassee Gun and Pawn Shop on South Monroe Street on May 31.

A witness told officers that he had seen a group of men in front of the business at approximately 3:30 a.m.

The witness went on to tell police that the group was large and consisted of about six to eight men.

While on scene, officers discovered the window of the shop had been smashed out.

When the owner arrived of scene, he determined that at least 19 guns had been stolen during the burglary.

Investigators then proceeded to collect surveillance video from the shop and surrounding businesses in the area.

Police say surveillance video from the Sunoco Gas Station showed a Sedan driving on Perishing Street.

A passenger is seen getting out of the car and walking into an alley.

Moments later, police say a group of five suspects are seen entering the alley behind Tallahassee Gun and Pawn Shop.

Documents say the video then captures the suspects going towards the front of the business.

Minutes later, investigators say the suspects are seen running out of the store with large bags.

After leaving the shop, they were picked up by the same Sedan on Perishing Street.

During the investigation, police received a Crime Stoppers tip about a Facebook chat were people were talking about burglarizing a pawn shop.

Authorities investigated the Facebook chat and connected some of the messages to 23-year-old Anthony Butler.

Court documents say one of Butler's messages stated "Y'all played them boys hit a pawn shop last night."

Police say Butler also posted a live Facebook video that was almost three minutes long.

The video showed Butler holding two semi-automatic handguns and pointing them at the camera.

After looking at the Facebook video, investigators where able to identify some of the guns that had been stolen during the pawn shop burglary.

On June 1, investigators then went to the apartment complex where Butler recorded the Facebook live to confirm his identity.

Later during a search of Butler's juvenile criminal history, investigators discovered that he had a history of grand theft charges from 2011.

Court documents also note that due to his juvenile history, Butler is prohibited from possessing a firearm until the age of 24.

Based on the evidence, Butler was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility.

He is facing 24 counts for grand theft of a firearm and multiple weapon and burglary charges.