Two area men are behind bars after allegedly stealing two firearms and attempting to conceal them in their basement.

Altoona resident Craig C. Burns, 65, and Bellefonte resident Brian L. Morrissey, 47, were arraigned March 2 by Magisterial District Judge Andrew L. Blattenberger on two felony counts each of receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm prohibited. They were remanded to the Blair County Prison, unable to pay their respective $150,000 bails.

The charges stem from a report received by state police at Hollidaysburg on March 2 regarding two stolen firearms being taken into a residence along the 300 block of West 12th Street, Tyrone, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

On scene, a witness told officers that two guns were brought into the home and hidden in the basement. They said that on Feb. 25, Morrissey called Burns for a ride from the victim’s residence along the 12600 block of South Eagle Valley Road in Snyder Township. The witness said when they and Burns picked up Morrissey, he had two firearms in his possession that he said belonged to the victim. Morrissey told Burns and the witness that the victim’s girlfriend didn’t know Morrissey had the guns, the police report states.

Once back at the 12th Street residence, the witness said Burns wiped off the guns with WD-40 to get rid of their fingerprints. The witness told officers that Burns is aware he is not to possess firearms, according to the affidavit.

The police report states that Morrissey is also a felon not to possess firearms.

In an interview, the victim was shown photos of the firearms and positively identified them as his. He told officers no one was permitted to be where he stored his firearms, the report states.

Burns and Morrissey are scheduled for preliminary hearings March 24 in front of Magisterial District Judge Kevin Stoltz.