ATF Requests the Public’s Help to Identify Individuals Involved in Firearm Store Burglaries
Dallas — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Worth Police Department, and North Richland Hills Police Department are requesting the public’s help for information that could lead to the identification and/or arrest of the suspects responsible for the burglary and attempted burglary of multiple firearm dealers.
At approximately 5:45 a.m., on Aug. 28, four unidentified, masked individuals entered Shoot Smart, located at 10305 North Freeway Service Road, Fort Worth, Texas, after breaking a side window to gain entry. The suspects forced entry into a locked roll-up cabinet and stole nine firearms from the business premises before fleeing the scene in a dark-colored pickup truck.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., on Aug. 29, four unidentified, masked individuals entered the same Shoot Smart, located at 10305 North Freeway Service Road, Fort Worth, Texas, and stole several magazines and boxes of ammunition.
At approximately 2:55 a.m., on Aug. 29, four unidentified, masked individuals entered Elliot White Gun Co., located at 6242 Rufe Snow Dr. #216, North Richland Hills, Texas, after breaking a window to gain entry. The suspects stole two firearms, ammunition, and additional items from the business premises.
At approximately 2:50 a.m., on Aug. 30, four unidentified, masked individuals attempted to break into Advantage Firearms, located at 3100 Handley Ederville Road, Suite D, Richland Hills, Texas, but were unsuccessful.
At approximately 4:15 a.m., on Aug. 30, four unidentified, masked individuals attempted to break into Guardian Guns, located at 506 East Avenue K, Grand Prairie, Texas, but were unsuccessful.
At approximately 4:35 a.m., on Aug. 30, four unidentified, masked individuals attempted to break into Academy Sports, located at 1101 West Arbrook, Arlington, Texas, but were unsuccessful.
At approximately 12:10 a.m., on Aug. 31, four unidentified, masked individuals attempted to break into Texas Gun Experience, located at 1901 South Main Street, Grapevine, Texas, but were unsuccessful.
At approximately 1 a.m., on Aug. 31, four unidentified, masked individuals entered Academy Sports, located at 7441 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, Texas, but fled after being startled by the cleaning staff inside. No firearms or additional items were stolen. Video surveillance from multiple locations showed, what appeared to be, the same suspects, to include a distinctive mask worn by one of the unidentified individuals each time. Also shown in the surveillance videos is a dark colored pickup truck or a dark colored sedan as the vehicle being driven by the suspects.
See following link for surveillance video and photos.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GLEcAfvpuEEZNuSttO1VF31YRZkAgOk…
“Firearms stolen from FFL’s pose a serious threat to our communities and are often used in other crimes; working with our law enforcement and industry partners to investigate FFL burglaries, and prevent future ones, remains one of ATF’s top priorities,” said ATF Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet.
Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-888-ATFTIPS. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
