FLORENCE, Ky. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms is still seeking about 90 stolen guns. After a string of smash-and-grab burglaries at gun stores around greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky, ATF says the stolen guns are likely still out on the streets.

What You Need To Know

  • Over a two week-span, a group of criminals committed six burglaries or attempted burglaries at gun stores around the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area

  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says the burglars rammed stolen cars into the buildings and proceeded to steal as many guns as they could, about 100 in total

  • Officers have arrested seven juveniles and four adults in connection to the burglaries

  • ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to additional suspects, and $5,000 for information that helps recover the unaccounted for firearms

According to ATF, over a two-week span, a group of criminals committed six burglaries or attempted burglaries at gun stores around the area, including Triggers and Range USA in Florence. ATF says the burglars rammed stolen cars into the buildings and proceeded to steal as many guns as they could, about 100 in total.

“To date, we have only recovered about 10 of those firearms. There still are approximately 90 firearms still in the greater Cincinnati area on the streets, in the hands of criminals,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division John Nokes.

Officers have arrested seven juveniles and four adults in connection to the burglaries. ATF is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to additional suspects, and $5,000 for information that helps recover the unaccounted for firearms.

“Not only were they acting together, but the stolen firearms ended up back in the Cincinnati area, which is why it’s so important to us to get those recovered. It’s paramount to the public,” Nokes said. “When someone uses a car, like in these instances, and smashes through the front of their business, and they run in and steal as many guns as they can possibly get their hands on, those firearms are instantly put in the criminal element, right? That’s usually for nefarious acts, whether it’s shooting, furtherance of drug dealing, or you name the crime, that’s what these firearms are used for.”

Nokes said this “smash-and-grab” method of burglary is becoming more and more common. He said taking steps to guard against it like reinforcing the outside of buildings with concrete barriers would be a wise move for gun dealers.

Anyone with information should contact the ATF at 1-888-283-8477 or atftips@atf.Gov, or contact the Cincinnati Police Department.

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