Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, have announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary of Black Dog Sporting Goods, a federal firearms licensee (FFL), in Bedford County.  ATF and the NSSF are each offering a reward of up to $2,500, for a total reward of $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest.

On Aug. 24, 2018 at 12:27a.m., the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office responded to Black Dog Sporting Goods, 1291 Burnbridge Road, Forest, Va., for a burglar alarm. Deputies arrived three minutes after being dispatched to the scene and found the front door to the business damaged and opened. Lynchburg Police also responded to assist Bedford County Sheriff’s Office in clearing the scene for suspects. None were located. Three firearms were reported missing by the business owner. Security footage revealed four male subjects wearing hooded sweatshirts, entering the building. ATF is working with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867), email ATFTips@atf.gov or contact ATF through it’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.  Tips may also be submitted to ATF by using the ReportIt app, or by visiting www.reportit.com.  You may also provide information by contacting the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or go online to cvcrimestoppers.org. Enter your tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $1,000. All calls and tips will be kept confidential.

ATF and its law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe, and that those who commit violent crimes such as these will be held accountable. The reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF, in which the NSSF matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from FFL retailers.  ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. 

For more information about ATF, go to www.atf.gov.

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