CAMDEN, Ark.—If only Larry Wayne Porchia had remembered to take the pistol out of a sack of nickels he brought to a bank, he may have remained free and not become a suspect in a recent burglary.

Porchia, 18, entered the BancorpSouth branch Wednesday to change $88 worth of nickels to paper money, Camden police said. After spotting the gun, the teller told a supervisor, who called police.

After police questioned him, they had cause to obtain a search warrant for his home, where they found $16,000 worth of allegedly stolen property, including eight firearms. Camden police Capt. Scott Rosson said many of the nickels were from a stolen coin collection.

The Ouachita County Jail said Friday that Porchia was charged with resisting arrest and possession of a firearm. Police were investigating the burglary aspect of the case. The jail didn’t have information on Porchia’s bond.

Rosson said Porchia had no intention of robbing the bank. The .44-caliber handgun was not loaded but ammunition for the gun was also in the bag. Police said Porchia had planned to sell the gun at a pawn shop.