New Kensington gun-shop thief pleads guilty in smash-and-grab heist

Paula Reed Ward
Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 5:30 p.m. | Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 5:30 p.m.

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Courtesy of ATF

One suspect uses a hammer to smash display cases containing handguns in the front showroom of RC Firearms in New Kensington in January while another collects the weapons.

Courtesy of ATF

Federal authorities released this security camera photo of the people who broke into the gun shop.

A man accused of burglarizing a New Kensington gun store in January pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court.

Steyn Sarduy, 19, of New Kensington will be sentenced on March 17 by U.S. District Judge Nora Barry Fischer on charges of conspiracy and theft of a firearm from a licensed dealer.

The plea agreement calls for a sentence of 2 1/2 years in federal prison.

Investigators said that Sarduy and another man, Michael Guin, 27, of Lower Burrell, used a pickup truck as a battering ram around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 to break into RC Firearms on Freeport Street.

According to the criminal complaint, the men first stole the truck from Mold Men of Pittsburgh before driving to the gun store.

At first, they smashed the truck into a garage door next to RC Firearms. But when they realized that door did not access the gun store, they left for a few minutes, investigators said.

They then returned, smashing the truck through the front of RC Firearms.

Sarduy, who investigators said directed Guin where to strike the building, wore all black and had a black headlamp.

Once inside, Sarduy used a hammer to smash the display cases, and Guin followed, removing the guns, the criminal complaint said. The two spent about a minute in the store before fleeing, according to the complaint.

Authorities said the men stole two dozen firearms, including 17 9 mm handguns, three .380-caliber handguns and two 12-gauge shotguns.

The pickup truck was later found on Greenridge Road in New Kensington.

Both men were arrested within two days, and according to the criminal complaint, Sarduy gave a full confession.

During his interview with police, Sarduy said that Guin solicited him to participate in the burglary through an Instagram message.

Sarduy must also pay restitution of $1,500 and serve three years supervised release, according to the plea agreement,

Guin pleaded guilty to the same counts — as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon — in November.

His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 31.

The plea agreement does not specify how much prison time Guin will receive.