ATF, Firearms Industry Offer $15,000 Reward in Gun Store Robbery

HOUSTON, Texas – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), CrimeStoppers of Houston, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, have announced a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the robbery of firearms from Airline Pawn.

On Saturday, May 6, 2017, at approximately 6:20 p.m., two black males robbed Airline Pawn, located at 181 W. Dyna Drive, at gunpoint.  One of the clerks was shot. Approximately 12 firearms, along with jewelry valued at $170,000 were stolen.  ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000, which will be matched by CrimeStoppers of Houston, and the NSSF. The reward will total up to $15,000. This crime is being investigated by the Houston Police Department and the ATF.       

“The ATF, and the Houston Police Department are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe,” said Fred Milanowski, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Houston Field Division.  “Keeping illegal firearms from hitting the streets is ATF’s number one priority.  We will relentlessly pursue any criminals who attempt to acquire or distribute stolen weapons.”

This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov (link sends e-mail).  Citizens can also send a text anonymously via the ReportIt® mobile app, available through www.reportit.com (link is external), using the ATF Houston Field Division as the location.