ATF Says 200+ Guns Stolen in Houston Area

Updated: Thursday, 26 Jan 2012, 12:48 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 26 Jan 2012, 12:27 PM CST
DOUG DELONY
Senior Web Producer

HOUSTON - Pawn shops and gun stores have been the target of a group of professional burglars, according to Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The agents are working with the Houston Crime Stoppers to look for information on the burglars that have stolen hundreds of firearms. The burglaries in question all occurred over the last six weeks.

Investigators believe that eight of these burglaries may be related. In total, 274 firearms are reported to have been stolen.

Investigators believe that "professional crews" ranging from two to seven people at a time burglarized these stores at night, stealing guns when possible and/or jewelry and electronics.

Crime Stoppers, along with the ATF and various local agencies, hosted a press conference Thursday morning hoping to track down the suspects.

The burglaries in question are listed below:

1. Cypress Jewelry and Loan (12-2-11), 11133 Huffmeister, Cypress, TX, 37 firearms stolen, ATF and Harris Co Pct 4.
2. Great Texas Gun Company (12-17-11), 6951 State Highway 21 East, Bryan, TX, 80 firearms stolen, ATF and Brazos County SO. (Reward previously offered.)
3. Fiesta Pawn (12-24-11), 12726 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, no firearms, Harris County SO, ATF.
4. People's Pawn (1-4-12), 11431 North Freeway, Houston, Texas, 10 firearms and electronics, ATF and Houston PD.
5. Amex Pawn (1-4-12), 12303 Veteran's Memorial, Houston, Texas, 131 firearms stolen, ATF and HCSO.
6. JJ Enterprise Sporting Goods (1-7-12), 505 E. Brazos Ave, West Columbia, Texas (Brazoria County), 16 firearms stolen, ATF and West Columbia PD.
7. Value Pawn (1-12-12), 10790 W. FM 1960, Houston, Texas, 77064, no firearms but other items, ATF and Harris County Pct 4.
8. Jet Pawn (1-14-12), 6135 FM 2920, Spring, Texas 77379, 3 suspects arrested during attempt, ATF, HCSO, Harris County Pct 4.

>> FOX 26's Kristine Galvan is following this story and will have more on FOX 26 News at 5 p.m.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect(s) is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at Crime Stoppers of Houston - Home that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case.

ATF Says 200+ Guns Stolen in Houston Area