Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Kansas City -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives today announced a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and recovery of firearms from those responsible for a string of thefts from federally licensed firearms dealers in the Kansas City area.

ATF Agents working with the Kansas City, Mo, Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown and Olathe Police Departments, have identified a theft ring that has burglarized and stolen firearms from at least five gun stores in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Beginning on July 4th and as recently as August 11th, it is believed that the same criminal group has burglarized Patriot Pawn and Gun in Blue Springs, Mo; Arms Mart in Independence, Mo, Centerfire Shooting Sports in Olathe, Ks, and Hughes Defense in Blue Springs. In total, this group has stolen nearly fifty firearms.

Anyone with information about this theft should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867), email ATFTips@atf.gov, at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips, or by texting ATFKC to 63975. Tips can also be submitted using the Reportit app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction over violations of federal firearms laws and is responsible for regulating the firearms industry. For more information about ATF and its programs, go to www.atf.gov and follow the Kansas City Field Division on Twitter @ATFKansasCity.

###