DENVER – Federal firearms authorities have taken notice of a string of smash-and-grab burglaries at three Colorado gun stores and are offering a $10,000 reward for suspect information that leads to convictions.
The thieves made off with 45 guns in the three burglaries, which have all happened in the last 1 ½ months.
Click here to view surveillance images of the suspects involved in the burglaries
On April 18, either four or five people stole 22 guns from the Springs Armory in the 2400 block of Waynoka Road in Colorado Springs.
About a month later, on May 24, four people broke into the Triple J Armory in Littleton and stole 11 guns just before 2 a.m. They drove a vehicle through the store’s wall in order to gain entry.
Two nights later, around 2 a.m. on May 26, two people broke into Machine Gun Tours in Lakewood and stole 12 more guns, including several semi-automatic rifles.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is now offering a $10,00 reward to anyone who helps identify the suspects, leading to their arrests and convictions.
“These firearms represent a major threat to our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Debora Livingston. “They will not be used in hunting; they will not be displayed as trophies; these guns are destined for crime. We appeal to anyone who knows the identity of these suspects or the whereabouts of the firearms to contact us before innocent people are hurt.”
Last year, a total of 273 guns were stolen from Colorado licensed dealers—up from 121 in 2015 and 56 in 2014.
ATF continues to work with the local agencies in their investigations into the burglaries, and warns both businesses and residents to be vigilant about protecting their firearms.
Anyone with information about the suspects in the burglaries can call ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.
