Handguns, rifles stolen during break-in at Monroe business; $10K reward offered

MONROE, N.C. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Shooting Sports Foundations, the trade association for the firearms industry, announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for an overnight burglary that happened in Monroe on Monday.

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The ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $10,000.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, several people broke into Whitley Power Equipment, a federal firearms licensee, at 4308 Pageland Highway.

Deputies determined that the suspects cut through fencing on the backside of the building, entered and then stole numerous firearms.

Investigators found security camera footage that showed three suspects wearing dark clothing entering the building. One of the suspects used an object to smash a glass display case before stealing several handguns. Another suspect jumped over a counter and stole several rifles. Within a matter of seconds, all three fled the building.

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-TIPS (800-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.

Tips may also be submitted to ATF through the ReportIt ® app, visiting www.reportit.com or by calling Union County Sheriff’s Office Crimestoppers at (704) 283-5600. All calls and tips will be kept confidential.

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