Homer resident Marco Ramirez, 46, was convicted Jan. 29 by a Kenai jury of one count of first-degree burglary and seven counts of second-degree theft, according to a Jan. 31 press release from the State of Alaska Department of Law.

On Jan. 11, 2022, Ramirez entered the home of a former employer who was out of town for the winter and stole seven rifles from a safe inside the home.

Evidence presented during the six-day trial included DNA, as testified to by an Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Lab scientist, the release states, as well as testimony from several Homer residents “who noticed suspicious things that led to Ramirez being caught.”

The case was investigated by an Alaska State Trooper with assistance from an officer from the Homer Police Department.

According to the release, Ramirez faces an aggravated sentence because he was already on felony probation from a different conviction when the 2022 theft was conducted.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 19. Ramirez faces a sentence of 3-10 years for the burglary charge and a possible addition of 2-5 years for the theft convictions.