CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne Police Department has made arrests in a complex burglary case involving multiple properties and a substantial amount of stolen goods.
A Cheyenne property owner reported burglaries at three of his storage properties, resulting in the loss of around 70 firearms and $250,000 in collectible coins. The burglaries occurred within the last few months and appeared to be related, according to an affidavit by Detective Freeman from the CPD.
Cheyenne residents Michael Townsend and Kenneth Cain were initially arrested in Texas in November 2023. During the arrest, Investigators in Texas located a large collection of coins which included United States-minted proof coin sets, Canadian proof coin sets, miscellaneous silver coins, watches, Wyoming trade tokens, a WWI Wyoming service medal and various other collectible coins.
Following further investigation, Desiree Pantoja was arrested in Cheyenne for possessing over $1,000 worth of stolen property related to these burglaries, according to CPD reports.
On Jan. 3 and 4, 2024, detectives conducted surveillance and executed search warrants, leading to the arrest of Townsend and his girlfriend, Bailee Martinez, for possession of stolen property, according to the affidavit
During custodial interviews, Townsend admitted to the burglary and the theft of 12 boxes of coins and three firearms he split with Cain. Martinez also acknowledged selling stolen items, according to Freeman.
Both Townsend and Martinez were initially seen in Laramie County Circuit Court on Jan. 5 and scheduled preliminary hearings with a $3,000 cash-only bond.
