Pair accused in El Paso County gun theft schemes arrested in Arizona

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says a man and woman are facing charges in connection to two gun theft investigations.

Peter and Mary Malone were arrested in Maricopa County, Ariz. on March 17, 2015.

The sheriff’s office says the first case that the Malone’s are facing charges in dates back to last year. They say eleven AR-15 .233 caliber rifles were purchased by the Malone’s, who were operating with a federal firearms license under the business names “The Falcon Sportsman” and “Maxx Tactical. ” The sheriff’s office says the Malone’s issued a fraudulent check for payment of the firearms, then sold the firearms and used the money to pay personal bills.

The sheriff’s office says it has also linked the Malone’s to a case from this year. It says that case involved 29 assault style firearms that were supposed to be sold by the Malone’s under a consignment agreement. Investigators say the Malone’s sold the firearms for approximately $40,000, but never paid the victim.

During the investigation it was learned that the Malone’s moved to Arizona.

El Paso County detectives worked with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to get and execute a search warrant at their home and to arrest the Malone’s.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says six firearms and several firearm accessories were also recovered.

The Malone’s are in jail in Arizona and will be extradited to Colorado.