Shelby County Sheriff's Deputies arrested three young Memphis boys today for stealing several pistols recently from a Memphis gun shop. Detectives say the three then sold or traded the guns. A teenager who bought one of the stolen guns has also been charged.

Detectives took a 12 year-old boy into custody this afternoon in the 1500 block of Merton Avenue. Two other boys, ages 14 and 12, are brothers. Their parents took them to Memphis Juvenile Court after Deputies contacted them about the thefts.

Deputies say on February 9, the young boys stole six guns out of a display case from the Guns and Ammo store in the 3600 block of Summer Avenue. Within hours, the three had passed the guns to other people. Rickey Wright, 18, of Memphis, said the 14 year-old gave him one of the pistols for a favor. Investigators arrested Wright on February 21 and charged him with Illegal Possession of a Firearm.

The trio sold or brokered the other five guns. One of the 12 year-old boys said he traded one of the pistols for two cell phones. He said he sold another gun to a young girl for $200.

All three boys have been charged with Theft of Property over $500 and are in custody at Memphis Juvenile Court. Deputies are still looking for others who bought the stolen guns.