State police, ATF investigating gun shop burglary

MILTON, Del. – Delaware State Police as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or ATF, are investigating after multiple firearms were stolen from a local gun shop on Thanksgiving Day.

According to a press release, at approximately 7 a.m. Thursday, November 22, police responded to Hopkins Gun Shop, located at 18647 Josephs Road after reports of a robbery.

An unknown person wearing a mask fled the scene after allegedly stealing several handguns and rifles after breaking into Hopkins.

In a statement, Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Rob Cekada of ATF said,  “We believe that these stolen firearms are destined to be used for criminal purposes. We are asking that any member of the public who may know something about this individual, this crime, or the whereabouts of these firearms comes forward.”

Cekada also said, “It is ATF’s top priority to make sure our communities stay safe and that businesses can operate without fear of incidents like this occurring. A person who uses criminal means to obtain a firearm is someone of who needs to be brought to justice.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, have announced a combined reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the theft of firearms from Hopkins Gun Shop, a federal firearms licensee (FFL).

Anyone with information is asked to call Delaware State Police or provide tips to ATF.

To submit a tip, call 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov.