ATF, Firearms Industry Offer Up to $5,000 Reward for Information About Firearms Stolen From Pineo’s True Value in Machias, ME
Machias – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Division and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, have announced a combined reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the theft of three firearms from Pineo’s True Value in Machias, ME. ATF Special Agents are working with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Machias Police Department on this investigation.
On Friday, October 15th, 2021, at approximately 3:36 a.m., an individual forced entry into Pineo’s True Value, a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), located at 292 Main Street, Machias, ME, broke a firearms display case and departed with three handguns.
“A person who uses criminal means to obtain a firearm is someone who needs to be brought to justice and firearms obtained illegally are almost certainly destined to be used for criminal purposes,” said ATF Boston Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson. “It is ATF’s top priority to make sure our communities stay safe and that businesses can operate without fear of incidents like this occurring. We are asking that members of the public who may know something about this incident or the whereabouts of these firearms to come forward.”
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact investigators immediately at (207) 558-2178 or send an email to tips@sheriffwashingtoncountymaine.gov or call 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov.
Tips can also be sent anonymously via the reportit® app using ATF Boston Field Division as the location. It is available through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and at www.reportit.com.
ATF is offering a reward of up to $2,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $5,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.
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.
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