SHAPLEIGH (AP) – Federal officials arrested two teenagers Tuesday in connection with an armed robbery last week at the home of a hunting supply outfitter in this western Maine town.

Gregory Fraser, 18, of Shapleigh, and a 15-year-old male juvenile whose name was not released were taken into custody by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A 16-year-old girl also said to be a suspect in the April 13 robbery was still at large.

A fourth suspect, Stephen Savarese, 20, of Shapleigh, remained in custody after his arrest Friday on a charge of robbing Frank and Beverly Shippee, both in their late 60s.

The couple were bound with duct tape and Frank Shippee was beaten by the robbers, his wife said earlier. More than two dozen firearms were stolen from the Fort Ridge Trading Post adjacent to the home.

The York County Sheriff’s Department assisted federal agents in making Tuesday’s arrests.

“This is kind of a shock – their ages, and the magnitude of the crime,” Lt. Gary Fecteau said. “Look at what they’ve done to themselves – this is serious.”

Fecteau said some weapons were recovered and some are believed to have been sold. Police allege that the 15-year-old boy accompanied Savarese inside the Shippees’ home while the two others remained outside.

If convicted of interfering with commerce by robbery, using a firearm in connection with the robbery and theft of firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, Savarese could be sentenced to up to 40 years in federal prison.

Fraser was charged with possession of stolen firearms.

Frank Shippee said Tuesday he was still in pain from two broken ribs sustained in the beating but that he was glad to learn that authorities had been making arrests.

Beverly Shippee said the robbers had threatened to kill them if they told anyone about the robbery. The robbers spent more than an hour in the house and shop before leaving in the couple’s car, she said.

AP-ES-04-22-03 1329EDT

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