ATF, NSSF Offers Up to $10,000 Reward on El Paso Firearm Burglaries

 El PASO — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), have announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and/or arrest of the suspects responsible for the burglaries and theft of 23 firearms from two El Paso federal firearms licensees (FFLs), located at 215 50^th Street, Lubbock, Texas.

On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at approximately 1:45 a.m., unidentified suspects forced entry into Drakes Fine Sporting Arms, located at 4000 N. Mesa St. El Paso, TX, and attacked the firearms display cabinet, stealing eight firearms.

On Sunday, August 16, 2020, at approximately 3:20 a.m., two unidentified suspects forced entry into Sportsman’s Elite, located at 4520 Doniphan Dr. El Paso, TX, and attacked the gun display case, stealing fifteen firearms. Both suspects are described as males of medium build with their faces covered. Suspect 1 wore a dark colored t-shirt, jeans, red colored face covering and dark colored hat with a white emblem. Suspect 2 wore jeans, and a grey long sleeve shirt (possibly a hoodie). Both suspects wore tennis shoes.

“We at ATF ask the public to help us solve these serial burglaries. Every day that these stolen firearms remain on the streets of Lubbock increases the chances of them being used in a violent crime. If you know something, please say something” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C Boshek II.

Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.

The 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. ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.