Nearly 50 Handguns Swiped From Guns Galore

LAKELAND, FL — Lakeland’s Guns Galore gun shop was targeted by burglars for the second time in just over a month on Sunday. This time the thieves are accused of swiping at least 46 handguns, which has Polk County Sheriff’s deputies asking for help to track down those involved.

“First and foremost, there are at least two dangerous suspects out there who stole nearly 50 handguns and will now use them and traffic them to a bunch of likely violent thugs and criminals who will in turn use these guns to prey on the innocent public to rob, intimidate, hurt, and possibly kill,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “If anyone saw something, or if you hear something about this crime, please call us or call Heartland Crime Stoppers.”

The crime in question occurred just before 4 a.m. on Jan. 29 at the 2440 U.S. 92 East store. Deputies received an alarm call about the burglary at 4 a.m. and responded within three minutes to find the front door’s lock broken and glass gun cases broken into and cleaned out, Judd said.

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It is estimated that at least 46 handguns were stolen during the break-in. Deputies canvassed the area following the crime, but found no suspects.

Considering the volume of the theft, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also came out to the scene, a Monday email from the sheriff’s office said. That agency is assisting with the investigation and is also conducting an inventory audit of Guns Galore.

“We want to find and arrest those responsible for this crime, and we want to recover as many of these guns as possible,” Judd said.

Judd also took issue with a lack of enhanced security measures at the store. “Retail gun dealers have a moral and ethical obligation to safely secure their firearms inventory from theft," Judd said. "Guns Galore was burglarized before. They broke in with relative ease, as they did again this weekend.”

Guns Galore was also targeted by burglars on Dec. 24, 2016, the sheriff’s office said. In that theft, 12 firearms were reported stolen. The sheriff’s office said no additional security measures had been implemented since that December burglary.

While no suspects have been identified in the most recent theft, surveillance from a neighboring business showed a light-colored sedan turning onto Peachtree Street just before the crime was committed. That vehicle parked behind the gun store and video shows two suspects running to the vehicle and fleeing shortly after the crime occurred. Other surveillance from the area shows two people dressed in dark pants and jackets carrying bags and tools, the sheriff’s office email said.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS.

Photo courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office