RIVERSIDE (CNS) - A federal agency joined with a nonprofit firearms trade organization today to offer a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the apprehension of three men responsible for stealing two semiautomatic rifles from a Riverside gun shop.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the theft occurred last month at Bullseye Sports, 6710 Brockton Ave.
``ATF is committed to quelling the trend of stealing firearms from licensed gun dealers,'' said Bill McMullan, special agent in charge of the Los Angeles Field Office.
``When firearms are obtained through illegal means, they are then typically transferred into the criminal world and used for violence. We are asking for the public's help in tracking down those responsible.'' Three men broke into the store about 6 a.m. on Sept. 26 and grabbed two M1 carbines, then fled in two different vehicles -- a light-colored Mercedes E Class with a plate possibly ending in 311, and a dark-colored Mercedes SUV with dealer plates, according to ATF spokeswoman Ginger Colbrun.
She said all three suspects were black. One was 25 to 35 years old, sporting a mustache, standing 5 feet 9 inches and weighing about 180 pounds, wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants, a black beanie and dark-colored sneakers with white soles. The other man was in his early 30s, about 5 feet 7 inches and 165 pounds with light facial hair. He was wearing a black jacket with lettering on the left side, black pants, black shoes and a black beanie. The last suspect was of an undetermined age, about 5 feet 10 inches and 200 pounds, wearing glasses, a gray shirt pulled over a long-sleeved blue shirt, black pants and shoes and a beanie.
The ATF put up a $5,000 reward, and the Newton, Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation offered an additional $5,000 for details that secure arrests. Along with the ATF, the Riverside Police Department is investigating the matter.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the ATF at (951) 320-7560, or the police department at (951) 826-8718.