Cheyenne Roommates Accused of Stealing Over $20K in Coins, Guns

Two Cheyenne roommates are behind bars after police reportedly caught them with tens of thousands of dollars worth of stolen collectible coins and guns.

According to Public Information Officer Alex Farkas, detectives began an investigation on Dec. 12 after learning that three unoccupied houses in the downtown area had been burglarized.

"Multiple firearms and thousands of collectible coins, valued at over $20,000 had been stolen from the locations," Farkas said in a news release Thursday morning.

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Around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, detectives executed search warrants at 43-year-old Kenneth Jason Cain's and 40-year-old Desiree Renee Pantoja's home at 309 Medicine Bow Ave. and on two vehicles that were parked nearby.

"During the search warrants, investigators located duffle bags full of coins and several stolen firearms," Farkas said.

The two were subsequently arrested and booked into the Laramie County Detention Center.

"Cain was arrested on theft of over $1,000, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of cocaine," said Farkas. "Pantoja was arrested on a theft of over $1,000 and an outstanding probation warrant."

The two are scheduled to make their initial appearances in Laramie County Circuit Court this afternoon, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m., but as of late this morning had yet to be formally charged.

Farkas says additional follow-up work is being done in the case, and she's asking anyone with information regarding the individuals involved or that leads to the recovery of stolen property to call Crime Stoppers Silent Witness at 307-638-TIPS or visit silentwitnesslaramiecounty.com.

Informants will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

3:30 P.M. UPDATE:

Cain and Pantoja were formally charged this afternoon, Dec. 21, but the charges weren't filed in time for them to be on the 2 p.m. jail list, so they will make their initial appearances in Laramie County Circuit Court tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

Cain is charged with two counts of felony theft and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

Pantoja is charged with a single count of felony theft. She also has a misdemeanor warrant for failing to comply with probation.