ST. LOUIS — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking for the burglars that have hit multiple gun stores in the St. Louis area in recent weeks using a similar tactic.
In a press release, the ATF said its agents are working with several police departments to identify a theft ring that has struck at least five gun stores in the area.
"In each incident, the 5 to 10 suspects gained entry into the federally licensed gun stores by ramming stolen cars into the buildings, shattering windows to allow access to the buildings," the release said.
In some cases, the suspects came away empty-handed, but the press release said the group had stolen more than 50 firearms in their successful attempts.
The ATF said the targeted gun stores were:
- Academy Sports in St. Peters, Missouri
- Academy Sports in O'Fallon, Illinois
- Metro Shooting Supplies in Bridgeton, Missouri
- Michael’s Arms Accessories in Edwardsville, Illinois
- Osage County Gun in Wright City, Missouri
The ATF included security images of the suspects in the Tuesday press release.
Photos: ATF offering reward for tips in gun store burglaries involving stolen cars
The latest burglary happened in Wright City early Saturday morning. Manager John Dawson said at 1:57 a.m., a stolen Hyundai went through his store’s front door. Security footage obtained by 5 On Your Side shows people piling into the store breaking gun cases and stealing guns.
Dawson said the building was built in 2018 with concrete barriers in front. Until this incident, he believed the space was too narrow for a vehicle to fit between. In light of other break-ins, he and his staff even tested the security of the building, but they were still hit by thieves.
“It looked like a warzone when we walked in Saturday morning,” Dawson said. “There was fluid on the ground from the car, broken glass everywhere. They wear backpacks in the front. Grab as many (guns) as they can.”
Dawson said the crew mostly stole handguns and a few rifles. He said anywhere between 10 and 50 weapons were stolen. He estimates roughly $250,000 in damages and stolen guns. The store is still closed which means they also aren’t making money. Dawson said the community rallied behind the business to help clean up and fix the damage.
Dawson said unless the group is caught or something changes, more stores will be burglarized.
"There are some stores where the staff sleep there at night,” Dawson said. “If you have issues with security, you may want to consider sleeping there while this stuff is going on.”
Osage County Guns plans to reopen next week.
Another gun store faced the same early morning panic as Osage County Guns. Metro Shooting Supplies' owner Steven King told 5 On Your Side he woke up at 5 a.m. with news that a stolen car drove right through the front of his store.
King said after this, nothing is stopping him from doing what he needs to protect his store, and the people it serves.
"Not only does the law-abiding citizen not get their firearm they need to protect themselves, but they fall into the hands of criminals," King said.
Damage at Metro Shooting Supplies went beyond just their front door, too. He said three people came in and attempted to break cases, but failed. He said they still managed to leave with a couple of firearms.
King said his store is secure. He said he knows a person wouldn't be able to break in.
"The only weakness we had was if a vehicle were to drive through that particular area."
King once worked in law enforcement. He said now he wonders where those stolen firearms will end up.
"They could be in Chicago or New Orleans or New York, anything. We don't know where they are."
With a mission to continue to serve the public, King said this string of break-ins must stop before it reaches places that can't bounce back.
"They will get caught. I'm positive they will get caught," King said.
The ATF is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects well as information leading to the recovery of the stolen guns.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ATF at 1-800- 283-4867, send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov, contact the ATF through its website or by texting ATFKC to 63975.
Tips can also be submitted using the Reportit app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.