Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

St. Louis -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives today announced a reward 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 St. Louis area.

ATF Agents working with several police departments in Missouri and Illinois, have identified a theft ring that has burglarized or attempted to burglarize at least five gun stores in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Over the past month, it is believed that the same criminal group has burglarized Metro Shooting Supplies in Bridgeton, MO, Michael’s Arms Accessories in Edwardsville, IL and Osage County Gun, in Wright City, MO. Investigators believe that these suspects are also responsible for attempted break-ins at the Academy Sports stores in St. Peters and O’Fallon, Il. In total, this group has stolen more fifty firearms. In each incident, the 5 to 10 suspects gained entry into the federally licensed gun stores by ramming stolen cars into the buildings, shattering windows to allow access to the buildings.

ATF is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information leading to the identification and arrest of those involved as well as information leading to the recovery of the stolen firearms.

Anyone with information about this theft should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800- 283-4867), email ATFTips@atf.gov, contact ATF through its website 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 @ATF Kansas City.