DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Authorities in Metro Detroit say two people have been taken into custody in connection with an alleged 'smash and grab' scheme that saw dozens of handguns and rifles stolen from two businesses this week.
WWJ's Mike Campbell spoke with officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigating the case who confirmed the arrests in two incidents of stolen firearms from at a pawn shop in Dearborn Heights and a gun shop in Westland over a 48-hour period.
"Police say they got dozen of guns on the streets, one report had 50 to 100 guns stolen... it's not clear if any of the guns have been recovered," Campbell reported.
On September 11, Dearborn Heights police said on social media that unidentified suspects rammed a vehicle through the front of C&C Coins in the 24600 block of West Warren just after 5 a.m.
The suspects took several handguns and long guns that were for sale and fled the scene.
Not 24 hours later, thieves struck the pawn shop again on September 12, just after midnight. Authorities said the business had boarded up where the suspects crashed their vehicle thorough the storefront the previous morning, but the suspects rammed their vehicle through the same spot, splintering the wood.
They stole an undisclosed amount of weapons before fleeing the scene once again.
Police said they believe the thefts were a group effort as video surveillance footage showed multiple people rummaging through the store.
In addition to the incidents in Dearborn Heights, thieves targeted Armed in Michgian, a gun store off on S. Wayne Road in Westland, on Sunday morning.
The suspects arrived at the shop in a stolen Kia SUV and rammed the vehicle into the front of store. Eight people reportedly got out of the Kia and were able to grab 50 guns before running to another vehicle across the street and driving away.
Officials with the ATF said both incidents in Westland and Dearborn Heights are connected and appears to have been carried out by the same group of suspects.
The ATF is offering up to a $20,000 reward for information about the thefts that occurred at C&C Coins pawn shop and Armed in Michigan.
Anyone with any information can contact the Detroit ATF Field Division at 313-202-3400, or 1-888-283-8477. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.
According to authorities, those eligible for the reward must provide tips leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect. The tipster must also leave contact information to collect the $20,000.
Information can still be submitted 100% anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-773-2587 or online here.