The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Baltimore Field Division and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the firearms industry, announced a combined reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the theft of firearms from Hopkins Gun Shop in Milton on Thanksgiving Day.
The ATF reported that at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 22, a burglary was reported at the shop at 18647 Josephs Road.
Delaware State Police were dispatched to the scene along with Special Agents and Industry Operations investigators from ATF Baltimore’s Wilmington Field Office. They determined that an unidentified person wearing a mask stole multiple firearms, including handguns and rifles, in the early morning hours on Thanksgiving Day. ATF and Delaware State Police continue working jointly on this investigation.
“We believe that these stolen firearms are destined to be used for criminal purposes. We are asking that any member of the public who may know something about this individual, this crime, or the whereabouts of these firearms comes forward,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada. “It is ATF’s top priority to make sure our communities stay safe and that businesses can operate without fear of incidents like this occurring. A person who uses criminal means to obtain a firearm is someone of who needs to be brought to justice.”
To provide tips to ATF, call 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov. Tips can also be sent anonymously via the reportit® app using ATF Baltimore Field Division as the location. The app is available through the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and at www.reportit.com.
ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $10,000. This reward is part of a larger national initiative between the Shooting Sports Foundation. The foundation matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
