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12-15-09, 13:27
Burglars hit Conroe gun store, range
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 12.15.09
Law enforcement officials are searching for the burglars who broke into a Conroe shooting range and store early Monday morning and made off with at least 50 high-end pistols and shotguns.
The theft occurred around 4:40 a.m., when burglars used bolt cutters to get through two security doors and smashed glass cases throughout the store to take dozens of name-brand pistols and shotguns valued at more than $40,000, the store manager said.
“They knew what they were doing,” said Allen Davey, store manager at Shooters Station, located at 13748 Texas 105 W. “They went for top-quality and collectible handguns and shotguns, and they moved fast.”
After cutting their way through two security doors, the burglars broke the glass door to gain entrance to the store. They moved a trash can around the store to collect guns from smashed display cases before fleeing the scene, Davey said.
“The response time from the Sheriff’s Office was very good, around eight minutes,” Davey said. “But the burglars were out the door in around three minutes. They knew not to stick around.”
A detailed inventory of store merchandise is being conducted, but Davey estimates 50-60 pistols and shotguns were taken – including rare, collectible firearms on display as well as new weapons, including Glock, Kimber, H&K and STI brand pistols, in glass showcases.
Davey said it is a blessing the burglars did not attempt to rob the business during normal store hours – a blessing for their next of kin.
“We believe in the right to defend ourselves and our property,” he said. “We practice on a regular basis for just this sort of thing. Things would have been different if they came during business hours.”
After being notified of the break-in by the alarm company, Davey and several employees came to the store to take stock of the situation, cleaning up broken glass and beginning a complete store inventory. The store was able to open for business shortly after its normal opening time of 10 a.m.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is conducting a follow-up investigation, according to an MCSO press release.
Officials with MCSO did not return calls for comment.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Call (800) 392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips also can be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers website at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers .org.
By Brad Meyer
Updated: 12.15.09
Law enforcement officials are searching for the burglars who broke into a Conroe shooting range and store early Monday morning and made off with at least 50 high-end pistols and shotguns.
The theft occurred around 4:40 a.m., when burglars used bolt cutters to get through two security doors and smashed glass cases throughout the store to take dozens of name-brand pistols and shotguns valued at more than $40,000, the store manager said.
“They knew what they were doing,” said Allen Davey, store manager at Shooters Station, located at 13748 Texas 105 W. “They went for top-quality and collectible handguns and shotguns, and they moved fast.”
After cutting their way through two security doors, the burglars broke the glass door to gain entrance to the store. They moved a trash can around the store to collect guns from smashed display cases before fleeing the scene, Davey said.
“The response time from the Sheriff’s Office was very good, around eight minutes,” Davey said. “But the burglars were out the door in around three minutes. They knew not to stick around.”
A detailed inventory of store merchandise is being conducted, but Davey estimates 50-60 pistols and shotguns were taken – including rare, collectible firearms on display as well as new weapons, including Glock, Kimber, H&K and STI brand pistols, in glass showcases.
Davey said it is a blessing the burglars did not attempt to rob the business during normal store hours – a blessing for their next of kin.
“We believe in the right to defend ourselves and our property,” he said. “We practice on a regular basis for just this sort of thing. Things would have been different if they came during business hours.”
After being notified of the break-in by the alarm company, Davey and several employees came to the store to take stock of the situation, cleaning up broken glass and beginning a complete store inventory. The store was able to open for business shortly after its normal opening time of 10 a.m.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is conducting a follow-up investigation, according to an MCSO press release.
Officials with MCSO did not return calls for comment.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or indictment of a felony crime. Call (800) 392-STOP (7867). Anonymous tips also can be made through the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers website at www.montgomerycountycrimestoppers .org.