Gun cache found in Whitestone

A Whitestone couple faces up to 25 years behind bars after police found 30 firearms, an assault rifle, and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition in their apartment. In addition, the husband and wife - Keith and Roberta Boyer - were found in possession of weaponry that police said could pass through officers’ bulletproof vests - a FN Herstal 5.7 handgun and 19 boxes of ammunition.
Police uncovered the weapons cache, which included three silencers, 15 knives, and a magazine that allows the rifle to rapid fire - on Wednesday, April 25, after responding to a husband-wife dispute at about 9 a.m., said Lt. Christopher Guiffre from the 109th Precinct. Roberta Boyer, 39, had called the cops and said that her husband had pointed a loaded gun at her.
“She explained to us that she feared for her life,” Guiffre said.
When police arrived at the scene at 14-11 148th Street, they said they found Roberta Boyer alone and brought her outside. Her husband had allegedly sped away in his Ford Bronco, she said.
A few minutes after police arrived, Keith Boyer, 45, allegedly returned, put the car in park with the motor running, ran inside, and barricaded himself in the house. After talking with his wife and the officers who surrounded the two-family home, he eventually agreed to surrender himself to police.
“He was then apprehended without further incident,” Guiffre said, explaining that Officer Lauren Benincasa placed Keith Boyer under arrest.
On Keith Boyer’s person, police said they found a loaded gun, and after obtaining a search warrant, they were able to uncover more weapons and ammunition inside.
Although six of the guns found by police were registered in Dutchess County, permits issued outside of New York City do not carry over county lines, police said. Therefore, all of the weapons, found in a safe on the upstairs floor of the house, are considered illegal.
As they were counting and cataloging the weapons on Thursday, April 26, officers from the 109th Precinct displayed the Fabrique Nationale (FN) Herstal 5.7, a semi-automatic pistol that was allegedly found in the stash.
Although the gun is called a “cop killer” by police, its manufacturers - FNH USA - have adamantly disputed the term, saying that the bullets used by the pistol don’t travel fast enough to pierce officers’ vests and armor.
About 950 bullets for the FN 5.7 were found in the Whitestone apartment.
“Responding to a family dispute is among the most difficult challenges facing police officers as these types of situations can often escalate and turn violent,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. At their arraignment, Keith and Roberta Boyer were ordered to be held on $500,000 and $100,000 bail, respectively, and to return to court on Monday, May 14.