VALENTINE, Neb. - A 43-year-old transient man accused of stealing several guns, swords and hunting and fishing equipment in Valentine has pleaded not guilty. Nicholas Hamling faces seven felony charges, including burglary, possession or receiving a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to court documents, a Valentine man reported a burglary to police on June 6. Among the stolen items were three rifles, which had been purchased from Tooth and Whisker Outdoors in Valentine. Police used the store’s records to obtain serial numbers for the stolen guns.

A few days later, the store notified police that someone had come in asking for a value estimate on two guns that Nicholas Hamling had offered to sell him. Those firearms matched the serial numbers of the stolen rifles.

Investigators also spoke with another man who told police he had bought additional items from Hamling, including another rifle and a sword. Both matched the description of stolen property.

After searching a camper trailer used by Hamling, authorities say they found several more stolen items, including two fly rods, a fly reel, a camping bag, and a second sword.

Hamling is expected back in court on Oct. 17 for a pretrial conference.