The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the city of Cleveland, Tennessee, police and the trade association for the firearms industry are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects in the theft of about 30 firearms from Cleveland Shooting Sports last week.
The firearms store, located at 2150 South Lee Highway, was burglarized just before 6 a.m. on Jan. 24, according to ATF spokesperson Michael Knight. Surveillance footage appears to show two suspects, though a physical description is difficult to determine based on the images.
No employees or customers were in the business, which is a federal firearm licensee.
While at least 30 firearms were reported stolen, ATF investigators are in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the exact number, according to an ATF news release.
The federal agency is offering a reward of up to $2,500, which will be matched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, for a total reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
This security camera still image shows a suspect in a Jan. 24 burglary at Cleveland Shooting Sports on South Lee Highway. / Photo courtesy Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives"This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the [foundation] and ATF in which [the foundation] matches ATF's reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers," the news release states.
"ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms," ATF special agent in charge Mickey French said in a statement. "ATF's Crime Gun Intelligence will leverage investigative resources combined with community partnerships to recover the stolen firearms."
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact ATF at 888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or the Cleveland Police Department tip line at 423-303-3120.
Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF's website at atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit app or by visiting reportit.com.
Contact Rosana Hughes at 423-757-6327, rhughes@timesfreepress.com or follow her on Twitter @HughesRosana.