CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Thieves are terrorizing gun stores across the Tri-State.
The crew was seen taking stolen cars and slamming them into gun stores, getting away with dozens of guns.
The thefts are now catching the eyes of federal investigators.
Nearly a dozen people, including teens, have been arrested in connection to this string of robberies. Investigators said that all of these thefts are connected and that the crew has gotten away with 100 guns.
“Their ages range from 13 to 16 years old,” said Frank Occhipinti with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
It’s the age of the seven kids arrested in connection to the robberies that’s startling to Occhipinti. He’s working the case out of the ATF office in Cincinnati.
“They basically stole cars from the Cincinnati and Florence area and then used them as battering rams through the front or side of wherever they thought there was a weakness in the building,” said Occhipinti.
Agents with the ATF were called in after the first two robberies in Florence.
“Other than their age, what stands out to us is the sheer number of firearms stolen,” said Occhipinti.
Along with the seven kids, four adults are also facing charges.
“We do know that they’re an organized group, and we do know that they were organized by someone other than a juvenile,” said Occhipinti.
So far, only 10 of those guns have been found.
“What concerns us is the sheer number of firepower that’s out there,” said Occhipinti. “There are 90 more firearms than there were two weeks ago now on the streets.”
Occhipinti said that the guns are ending up in the wrong hands.
“These are being used in crimes more often than not. They’re not trained to shoot, and they’re reckless,” said Occhipinti.
Through police interviews and search warrants, they found that the group is based out of Cincinnati.
“We know we haven’t arrested all of them in the group; there are still members out there,” said Occhipinti.
Occhipinti said that agents are working around the clock, with their sole mission to get those guns off the streets.
“God knows what they’re capable of. That’s what keeps us up at night,” said Occhipinti.
The ATF is offering two separate rewards. The first is a $5,000 reward for anything that leads to the recovery of those 90 firearms still out there. Then, a $10,000 reward is being offered for anything that leads to the arrest of the people still out there hitting these stores.
If you can help, you’re asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513)-352-3040. Remember, you can always stay anonymous.