ATF Busts Gun Burglary Ring Responsible for 400 Stolen Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) arrested 17 people accused of stealing firearms from gun stores across the state of Colorado.

The smash-and-grab robberies played out the same way each time–suspects would steal a car, ram it into the storefront of a gun shop, and steal as many guns as quickly as possible once inside.

"It's multiple groups, there were different crews as we like to call them," Deborah Livingston, ATF Special Agent in Charge, said. "We believe we've arrested several of the major crews, but there have been some copy cats, and we've also arrested several of those crews." 

Livingston said ATF believes the suspects stole guns because they are easy to sell and suspects can make quick cash selling these high-priced items.

So far, 17 individuals were indicted on state and federal charges in relation to these burglaries which are responsible for 400 stolen guns in 2017 alone. 

ATF is still working to recover the stolen firearms, but is committed to finding every last one because of the enormous danger they post to public safety.

"They're dangerous weapons, and in the wrong hands, they do dangerous things. They're guns, they kill people, so it's not like stealing a bracelet or a purse," Livingston said.