ATF ANNOUNCES $10,000 REWARD IN CORONA FIREARMS BURGLARY INVESTIGATION

CORONA, Calif. — Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Bogdalek, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, and the Corona Police Department today announced that a $5,000 reward will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Turner’s Outdoorsman is also matching ATF’s reward with an additional $5,000 for a total of $10,000 for information. The burglary occurred Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, at Turner’s Outdoorsman, a federal firearms licensee (FFL), (licensed gun dealer), located at 2264 Griffin Way, Corona. Several suspects wearing long sleeved clothing with baseball caps broke into the store by using force to open the security door. The suspects took twelve rifles and fled in an unknown vehicle.

“The Corona Police Department is actively moving forward in partnership with ATF regarding this investigation,” said Corona Police Chief Michael E. Abel. “We will continue to do so with our manpower and additional resources in-order to arrest those responsible and recover the stolen weapons.” “The burglary and theft of firearms from an FFL is a very serious crime and a top investigative priority for ATF and the Corona Police Department,” said Bogdalek. “We are asking the public to look at these surveillance photos to see if you recognize the persons involved.”

ATF is the federal agency responsible for investigating all thefts of firearms from FFLs. ATF is using its expertise in tracking and tracing stolen firearms to pursue those responsible for this theft. ATF and the Corona Police Department have tracked several leads and are asking for the public’s help in providing additional details regarding the theft.

Anyone with information on the crime should contact ATF’s toll-free, 24-hour tip line at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Callers can remain anonymous.