Nearly 50 firearms stolen from Wisconsin store, ATF says; suspect search ongoing
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
"Very brazen. It almost appeared that as they moved around, they knew what they were after," said St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson.
The burglary happened early on Feb. 12 at Russell's Sport N'Bike in Star Prairie, according to the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office. Federal officials said a suspect entered the establishment through a window.
The eye-catching number of weapons taken included handguns, long guns and high-capacity firearms, the sheriff said.
"All the firearms have been entered into the system in the event that they ever pop up, get run through, attempt to be sold to any firearms dealers, any gun shops, so hopefully we can recover some that way," said Knudson.
The federal agency, in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.
"We hope that that brings out some information from somebody that may not have wanted to speak before that feels that OK, now there's an incentive for them," said Knudson.
Information given to law enforcement must "directly lead to the successful prosecution of the individuals responsible or aid in the recovery of the stolen firearms," the federal agency said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Croix County Emergency Communications Center at 715-386-4701 or email the county's tipline.