3 teens and an 18-year-old arrested after stolen guns recovered

Three teenagers andan 18-year-old are now facing charges after police foundseveral stolen gunsduring a search of a home near a local elementary school Thursday morning.

According to detectives, the investigation started after a break and enter that happened Wednesday night in the lower city in the area of Cannon Street East and Frederick Avenue. Police say several guns were stolen from that location.

A police news release says that something from that investigation led to a search warrant at another home on Candlewood Drive on Stoney Creek Mountain Thursdaymorning.

"Several firearms in relation to this investigation were seized and seven persons arrested," the news release reads.

Police announced Friday morning that only four malesare facing charges in connection with the incident: an 18-year-old, a 16-year-old and two 15-year-olds.

Det.Const. JackHigginbottomsaid police are still working to figure out whether the suspects knew there were guns in the house that they broke into.

The guns were found mere minutes from nearby St. Marks Elementary school, which was placed in "hold and secure" mode while police searched the home. It was a big police operation involving several plainclothes and tactical officers, Higginbottom said.

"With the knowledge that there are guns involved, you have to take every precaution," he said.