ATF and Alamogordo Police Department Team Up to Arrest Felon in Cross-State Firearms Burglary Case

ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico – In a collaborative effort highlighting strong inter-agency cooperation across state lines, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) El Paso Field Office and the Alamogordo Police Department (APD) have arrested a multi-convicted felon accused of burglarizing a federally licensed firearms dealer in El Paso, Texas.

According to a joint news release issued today by the ATF and APD, 38-year-old Shawn Camu was taken into custody on Saturday, January 10, 2026, following the theft of two pistols from Benny’s Pawn, a licensed firearms retailer in El Paso.

The ATF initiated the investigation immediately after the burglary and successfully tracked the suspect to Alamogordo. APD officers provided critical assistance by confirming Camu’s location, conducting surveillance on a residence, and executing a high-risk traffic stop as he departed the property. APD personnel detained Camu until ATF agents arrived to assume custody.

Search warrants were subsequently executed at the suspect’s residence and vehicle, again with support from APD. Authorities recovered the two stolen pistols, along with an additional firearm and ammunition. A K-9 unit conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle, alerting to the presence of methamphetamine, which may result in additional state-level drug charges.

Camu, identified as a prohibited possessor due to his prior felony convictions, was released into federal custody for incarceration pending further proceedings.

He faces the following federal charges:

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(u) – Theft from a Federal Firearms Licensee

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(j) – Possession of a Stolen Firearm

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(i) – Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Firearm

• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm

These offenses carry significant penalties under federal law, particularly given the interstate nature of the crime and the suspect’s prohibited status.

The successful operation underscores the effectiveness of partnerships between federal and local law enforcement in combating firearms-related offenses that impact communities in both Texas and New Mexico. APD’s quick response and assistance were instrumental in locating and apprehending the suspect, preventing the potential circulation of stolen firearms in the region.

No additional details on court dates or further investigation were immediately available. AlamogordoTownNews.org will continue to monitor developments in this case.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by local and federal authorities to address burglary, theft, and illegal firearms possession in the border region. Residents with information related to firearms crimes are encouraged to contact the ATF or APD.

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