RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry, announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction for those responsible for the theft of firearms from several federal firearm licensees across the Washington Field Division.
The ATF Washington Field Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and seven counties in the panhandle of West Virginia.
ATF is offering a total reward in the amount of up to $12,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. ATF is also offering a reward for recovery of the stolen firearms.
ATF and the Hanover County Sherriff’s Office are actively investigating a second burglary at Hopkins Gun and Tackle, 8151 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, that occurred on April 15th, 2016 at approximately 11:50pm. A total of approximately 30 firearms were reported stolen.
On March 21th, 2016 a burglary occurred at Hopkins Gun and Tackle and numerous handguns were stolen. Additionally, a break-in occurred at Southern Police Equipment a FFL located at 7609 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, along with a break-in at Cross Tactical Supply a FFL located at 375 E. Williamsburg Road, Henrico, Va. on the same night. Investigators believe that these three incidents are related.
On March 3rd, VP Firearms LLC, 594 Crawford Quarry Rd., Falling Waters, Wv. was burglarized and a total of seven firearms including handguns were reported stolen to the Berkeley County Sherriff’s Office. Suspects are currently being sought. Observed in surveillance store video are two white males, approximately 20-30 years old, darker colored hair, medium height and medium build.
On November 4th, 2015, a burglary occurred at A-Z Pawn located at 8462 Centreville Road Manassas Park, was burglarized and six firearms were reported stolen to Manassas Park Police Department.
This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF’s reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers. ATF works closely with members of the firearm industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.
Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact ATF at (800) ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Your identity may remain anonymous.
