Marin man charged in gun theft investigation

A Marin County man has been arrested on allegations he stole 73 guns from a Placer County gun store.

The crime occurred over a period of about three hours on the morning of July 22. Authorities allege Tyrone Brennen, 39, of San Rafael, used a power tool to break into Foothill Firearms in Newcastle and load the weapons into backpacks.

Brennan left the store and got into a vehicle driven by Loren Ray Bingham, 41, of Vallejo, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

Evidence that helped identify the suspects included video footage from a nearby business. Investigators executed warrants on Aug. 6, arresting Brennan in San Rafael and Bingham in Vallejo. The suspects had guns stolen from the store, authorities said.

Investigators also arrested another suspect at Bingham’s residence: Richard Edward Nosenzo, 57, of Vallejo. Detectives found evidence that allegedly linked him to the robbery.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said all three suspects are convicted felons and that Brennen “has a long history of committing commercial burglaries across the state by cutting holes in the sides of businesses.”

Bingham is a gang member who had outstanding warrants for drug and weapons cases in Solano County, the department said in a statement about the arrests.

“He has prior felony convictions for possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of stolen property and vehicle theft,” he said.

Nosenzo, the department said, “has a 1995 felony conviction for escaping from prison, three felony convictions for vehicle theft, possession/passing of forged checks, grand larceny of a firearm, robbery and possession of stolen property.”

Brennen was arraigned in Roseville on Thursday on a 20-count complaint that included charges of burglary, grand larceny and being a felon in possession of firearms. He has pleaded not guilty.

Brennen is being held without bail. His defense attorney could not be reached for comment Monday.

Bingham and Nosenzo were indicted on similar charges and pleaded not guilty.

A preliminary examination, the procedure in which a judge determines whether there is enough evidence to justify a trial, is scheduled for Aug. 19.

Agencies participating in the investigation included the San Rafael Police Department, Novato Police Department, Central Marin Police Authority and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Originally published: August 12, 2024 at 1:40 pm