ATLANTA — Federal agents are searching for dozens of firearms stolen from a Buckhead gun shop during the height of looting over the weekend.
Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke with the owner of Chuck’s Firearms Wednesday. He said thieves broke in his store around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
“It took them almost 25 minutes to get into the lobby of the store,” Jim Hinsdale said.
Federal investigators told Regan seven or eight suspects swarmed the gun shop, most wearing masks and gloves.
The thieves broke through a window and somehow got through a steel pull down security gate to steal dozens of handguns.
The thieves broke into glass display shelves and snatched 45 handguns, including a custom firearm worth over $3,000. The owner said they ignored rows of shotguns and long rifles.
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Early Saturday, Atlanta police had their hands full with people looting shops and other businesses across the metro area.
The owner suspects the thieves are not from the metro Atlanta area and timed the break in when most police were distracted with the protests.
"They had the time, because they knew police weren’t coming,” Hinsdale said. “They wanted guns, they knew we’re here.”
Regan checked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and found out this is happening in other cities.
“We send out FFL alerts to our industry partners to encourage everyone to take extra precautions during this time," Cherice Williams said.
The ATF is offering a reward up to $5,000 for any information that can lead to an arrest. National Shooting Sports Foundation will match the reward.
Tips can be submitted on the ATF website, email ATFTips@atf.gov or call 1-800-ATF-TIPS (800-283-8477).
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