Suspect Caught On Camera In Gun Shop Heist
JACKSON (WWJ) - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is renewing its appeal for help to track down a man who robbed a Jackson, Michigan gun shop.
It's been a month since the heist, and Donald Dawkins, at the Detroit ATF field office says— because stolen guns usually turn-up in connection with a crime — they're growing more concerned as time passes.
Dawkins told WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis this is a rare case because the thief seen took a few handguns but passed up several high-powered automatic weapons to grab several silencers.
"But he had the opportunity to take many more, and he did not," Dawkins said. "... We believe he'd been in the store before, and he knew exactly what he wanted to take. Those mufflers, those depressors, were his main target."
"Why do you go by, or pass firearms to go to mufflers? We don't know," Dawkins added. "But it's a concern anytime things like this get on the street — whether they're firearms, mufflers ... any kind of firearm theft raises concern with AFT."
Investigators said, on the afternoon of May 8, the suspect entered Schupbach's Sporting Goods, on W. Pearl Street, while it was open and hid in a closet until everyone left after closing at 8 p.m.
The ATF is looking for help to identify the man in these security camera images. The subject is believed to be a white male, with a stocky build, brown colored collar-length hair that covers his ears. He was wearing a long, dark-colored shirt, dark-colored cargo pants, a dark-colored watch on his left wrist, and light-colored shoes or boots.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (4867) or the Jackson Police Department at 1-855-840-STOP (7867).
A $2,000 reward is offered for tips leading to an arrest in the case. Callers can remain anonymous.
