Brothers facing federal weapons charges

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two brothers already charged with 37 break-ins around WNY are now facing additional federal charges of weapons possession.

Kevin Zimmerman, 23, and Jeffrey Zimmerman, 29, both of Cheektowaga, are being charged with being armed career criminals in possession of firearms. The Zimmermans were arrested in January and charged with a spree of break-ins that began last October, targeting communities in Amherst, Williamsville, Akron, Alden, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Newstead and West Seneca.

Federal authorities say the Zimmermans stole firearms during their crime spree and then sold the weapons to local gun shops.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison for each Zimmerman.

Alfred Tatman, 26, who was their apartment-mate and alleged accomplice in the crime spree, is not being charged by federal prosecutors over the weapons. He is still facing charges for the burglaries.