Marion County, Ohio — Authorities are on the hunt for three suspects who broke into the Rural King farm supply store in Marion County and stole multiple firearms. The burglary occurred late Friday night, November 22, 2024, around 11:30 p.m., at the store located at 233 America Boulevard.
Surveillance footage shows the suspects smashing through two sets of glass doors using a heavy object before entering the store. All three were wearing gloves, face coverings, and glasses. One of them was seen carrying a suitcase, while another grabbed firearms from a display case. The group was in and out within moments, leaving behind shattered glass and a boarded-up entryway.
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are working together to solve the case. Evidence collected at the scene is being processed at a crime lab.
The ATF, in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspects. Authorities have not disclosed how many or what types of firearms were stolen, but officials emphasize that stolen firearms often have significant street value, particularly in the drug trade.
“It takes all of us to solve these types of crimes,” said an ATF spokesperson.
Anyone with information about the burglary is encouraged to contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) or email [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted through the ReportIt® app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
This case is part of a continuing initiative between the ATF and NSSF to combat firearm thefts from federally licensed dealers. Community cooperation is critical to recovering the stolen firearms and holding those responsible accountable.
For now, the Rural King’s broken doors serve as a reminder of the criminals’ brazen act, but investigators are hopeful that tips from the public will lead to their capture.
it seems like this business did not have these firearms very securely stored during non-business hours, with only two glass doors between them and crooks. safety glass would have slowed down these criminals a little bit, but still…
if they find them, i’ll bet they were known to law enforcement.
Hey idiots at the ATF , do your job and find these thieves and arrest them and leave law biding gun owners alone
For years I have shopped at two Rural King stores in Southern Illinois and they are very much like the ones described by CinciJim below here . The stores are run by nice people and the gun areas are very well run and secured . Ammunition and firearm prices are good too . They seem quite different from the store described in this Article . And …being a “Veteran ” who learned how good and needed my soldiers were of any “Race” ( which is kind of a false definition of the Human species anyway ie are there Dog “races… Read more »
Just a guess, but these guys are probably repeat offenders…