Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CLEVELAND — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Shooting Sports Foundation – the trade association for the firearms industry – are announcing a reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individuals responsible for the burglaries of three Northeast Ohio businesses on Jan. 31, 2024. ATF and NSSF are jointly offering a potential total reward of up to $3,000.

At approximately 3:55 a.m., three individuals entered Amherst Arms, located in Amherst but were unsuccessful in obtaining any firearms. They then proceeded to Transform & Renew Arms, located in North Ridgeville at 4:31 a.m., where they were again unsuccessful in obtaining any firearms, but did take ammunition and magazines. The trio then proceeded to the Rural King, located in Elyria at 4:51 a.m. but were again unsuccessful in obtaining firearms. Law enforcement later determined that the vehicle driven to each of these locations was stolen after it was recovered in Lorain County.

On Feb. 9, three individuals attempted to enter the Cabela’s located in Avon. On this occasion, they were not able to make entry. It is suspected that the same individuals responsible for the January 31 burglaries may be responsible for this attempted break in as well.

These burglaries and the attempted burglary are being investigated by ATF’s Columbus Field Division jointly with the Amherst Police Department, the North Ridgeville Police Department, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, the Lorain Police Department, and the Avon Police Department.

Anyone having information about this incident should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477). Individuals may also email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF using the ReportIt® app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

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 retailers. ATF works closely with the members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

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