$10,000 reward offered after 27 rifles were stolen from a Southern California military base... and the ATF didn't tell public for two weeks

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:45 PM on 30th July 2011

More than two dozen assault rifles have been stolen from a Southern California military base, it was today reported.

But the incident, in which 26 AK-74 assault rifles and one Dragunov sniper rifle were stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County, happened two weeks ago.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives couldn't say why the public hadn't been told about the theft earlier, but decided to issue a news release because of the potential danger the loose weapons posed.

They have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to more arrests.


Theft: 27 rifles have been stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County


Gone: 26 AK-74 assault rifles, similar to the one shown, were stolen

ATF spokesman Special Agent Christian Hoffman, said: 'We determined that there was a public safety issue with the guns getting out on the street.'

Some arrests have been made and one rifle has been recovered, but the agency is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to further arrests, according to an ATF statement.

'Community participation is necessary to improve the likelihood that ATF and our law enforcement partners will track down the firearms as well as the criminals who have sought to destabilise our community through illegal activity,' ATF Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres said.


Stolen: One Dragunov sniper rifle, similar to the one shown, was stolen from a supply warehouse at Fort Irwin

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