GREENWOOD, Ind. — A 20-year-old Indianapolis man has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a gun store burglary where more than $80,000 worth of firearms were stolen.
Ivan Bautista pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges related to the December 21, 2023, break-in at US Defense Solutions. According to court documents, Bautista — the only adult involved — and two juveniles broke a window to enter the store around 2 a.m. and stole numerous firearms in less than 20 minutes before fleeing.
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On Monday, Johnson Superior Court 3 sentenced Bautista to two years in prison, followed by two years of probation. The court highlighted the high value of the stolen property and the large number of firearms taken as major factors in its decision, despite Bautista’s relatively minor criminal history.
Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner emphasized the county’s strict stance on such crimes, stating:
“Prison time, first time, every time for this kind of criminal behavior. I hope Mr. Bautista tells his criminal friends to stay out of Johnson County.”
The sentencing follows a public safety campaign launched by the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Department, which includes a digital billboard along I-65 warning offenders:
“Attention criminals: Cross this line, you’ll do more time.”
The court also stressed the impact on the business owner, noting that stealing from a business directly affects the livelihood of the people behind it.
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