The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced on Monday it is working with the gun industry's trade group to offer a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the criminals who robbed a Maryland gun store.
"The people responsible for this crime have victimized a local business and these stolen firearms threaten the safety of our communities," Daniel L. Board Jr., special agent in charge of ATF’s Baltimore Field Division, said in a statement. "As ATF and our Anne Arundel County Police Department partners continue investigating, we are also seeking the public’s assistance. Anyone who may have information about these individuals or firearms should come forward as soon as possible."
The ATF said four unidentified burglars broke into the Hanover Armory in Hanover, Maryland, on Sunday, January 7 around 6 a.m. and ransacked the store. The burglars made off with as many as 13 firearms during the break in. The ATF said they got away with both rifles and handguns.
The ATF is offering $5,000 for information on the robbery and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is matching their offer making the total reward $10,000.
"Those in the firearms industry take the issue of thefts from retailers very seriously, and we have a longstanding practice of matching ATF reward offers to help bring the criminals responsible to justice," Michael Bazinet, an NSSF spokesperson, told the Washington Free Beacon. "In addition, through our Operation Secure Store initiative, NSSF offers in-depth security audits and other services to retailers to help them make the decisions that are right for them to increase the security of their stores."
The ATF released photos of the suspects and is encouraging the public to contact them with any tips.
"Citizens can report information to ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov," the agency said. "They can also send tips anonymously via the reportit® mobile app, available through www.reportit.com, using the ATF Baltimore Field Division as the location."