Police were called to the Grouse Perch, located at 15 North Main Street, at 10:26 a.m. on Tuesday when the business owner saw that his store had been burglarized.

Burglars entered the Grouse Perch by breaking a window in the front of the building.

The store owner believes that 10 handguns and two high-powered rifles were stolen.

Old Saybrook Police detectives processed the crime scene and seized physical evidence located inside the gun shop.

After developing information, police went to an Old Saybrook residence to speak with a suspect. After an hour-long standoff with police, the suspect was detained and a search of the residence commenced.

Police recovered multiple firearms and heroin from inside the home. Additional evidence was also seized.

Thomas Russo, 25, of 79 Fenwood Drive, Old Saybrook was arrested and charged with burglary in the third degree, larceny in the third degree, criminal mischief in the first degree, 16 counts of theft of a firearm, and 16 counts of criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Russo is being held on a $750,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court today.

“I am very proud of the men and women of our department,” said Michael A. Spera, Chief of Police. “They worked tirelessly today to ensure the safety of our community by getting stolen guns off our streets.”

This investigation remains very active.

Additional arrests and charges are possible.

Anyone having information concerning this investigation is strongly encouraged to contact the Old Saybrook Department of Police Services at 860-395-3142.