Car Rams Into Glass Window Of Livermore Gun Shop, Burglars Steal $40K In Guns: Police, Report

LIVERMORE, CA — Suspects rammed a car through the glass storefront of East Bay Firearms in Livermore and stole several firearms, according to the Livermore Police Department.

On Saturday, Oct. 25 at around 4:30 a.m., Livermore police responded to a report a possible vehicle collision into the business at 4173 First Street. Officers arrived to find that a vehicle had rammed through the storefront, and the owner confirmed to police that several firearms had been stolen.

LPD's Criminal Investigations Bureau is actively investigating the incident, LPD told Patch in an email.

Co-owner Damon Butts told KTVU that three masked men in hoodies stole 28 handguns and four long guns, worth an approximated total of $40,000. Saturday's break-in marks the third burglary the store has suffered in two years, according to the KTVU report.

Last year, a man came into the store, stole a gun, and was arrested, but only served a 120-day work release, Butts told KTVU.

In October 2023, a 28-year-old man later identified as Freddy Mendoza entered the store wearing a mask, gloves, and a hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head.

A witness told police in a statement that the man attempted to rob the store by taking a firearm, while armed with a hammer.

The owner of East Bay Firearms fired two rounds, fatally wounding Mendoza, police said.

Emergency crews pronounced him dead on the scene. Five customers were in the store at the time, though none were injured.

Police said they believe the owner acted in justifiable self-defense, and is not being charged. They also reported that the owner is cooperating with the investigation.

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