41 Firearms Stolen From Lithia Store

LITHIA, FL — As the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigates a burglary that resulted in the theft of an estimated 41 firearms from a gun shop within the Lithia Ace Hardware store, they’re asking anyone with information in the case to come forward.

According to the agency, a person or people broke into the 10415 Highway 39 S. hardware store around 3:55 a.m. April 7. Deputies say a cutter was used to remove a chain lock on the garden center entrance on the north side of the business. The burglar or burglars then smashed out a glass door to the garden center and used a cutter again to gain entrance to the main store.

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Once inside, deputies say the thief or thieves walked to the back of the business where the gun store is located. It is estimated the haul included 40 handguns and one long rifle.

No surveillance video or photos are available, the agency noted in a Friday email to media.

Anyone with information about the crime or those responsible is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 813-247-8200. Tips may also be submitted via Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-873-TIPS or by going online two www.crimestopperstb.com.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the National Shooting Sports Foundation are also offering $5,000 each for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible “for the theft of firearms from Tampa Arms Company,” the email noted.

No further information is available at this time.

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