Muscle Shoals police have asked the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms for help after someone stole around 100 guns from a local pawn shop.
Police say The Pawn Shop, located on Woodward Avenue, was burglarized either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Officers did not know about the incident until later Sunday; the store's security system never alerted police because the power and phone lines were cut. A patrol officer discovered the crime after receiving a call from a neighbor about unknown property scattered in her yard.
"When the officer arrived, with it being in close proximity to the pawn store, actually wanted to go over and check the business and then it was discovered that entry had been made," explained Police Chief Robert Evans.
He says the bandits burst through the back door of the business and took several pieces of jewelry in addition to the plethora of guns.
"It was several handguns and also several long guns or shoulder weapons," said Evans.
The ATF will help the Muscle Shoals PD with tracking and categorizing the weapons. Evans says there is a possibility that this is the work of multiple criminals.
"With the large number and large amount of property that was taken you would think that it would be more than one," he said.
The thief, or thieves, will face charges of 1st degree Burglary when apprehended. Due to the large number of weapons stolen there is a chance that federal charges will be filed as well.
The owner of The Pawn Shop did not want to comment.
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