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Surveillance video released of Castleton Gander Mountain firearms theft

We're getting our first look at the men who stole a cache of weapons from Gander Mountain last week. Numerous long guns were stolen, and a $10,000 reward is being offered in the case.
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - We're getting our first look at the men who stole a cache of weapons from Gander Mountain last week. Numerous long guns were stolen, and a $10,000 reward is being offered in the case.

Federal ATF agents hope the security camera video gets them clues they need to get the guns and the men.

The 11 stolen guns include nine assault-style rifles.

The suspects are hiding their faces in the surveillance video, but investigators say there are other clues that people might recognize.

They broke open a side door with a pick-up, then rushed into the Castleton Gander Mountain store. They kept moving. The building alarm was going off as they went down the aisles to the gun section. It appears as if they knew what they wanted and where the weapons were located. The guns were just sitting on shelves - not locked up as the AFT recommends.

Investigators say that in two minutes or less, all four men were headed out the door. One robber with guns in his hands went to the wrong door and had to turn around.

Agents say they escaped about a minute before Indianapolis Metro Police arrived. Police later found the pick-up they believe the thieves used to break in, then get away.

Although the video is poor, investigators are hopeful "that some body will recognize something. Maybe it is the do-rag that the one individual is wearing, or the unique style of shorts another individual is wearing or even the sneakers or the tennis shoes that can be seen on one of the individuals. Maybe it will just jog something in somebody’s mind and they will give us a call," said Patrick Hand, ATF agent.

Whenever guns are stolen from a licensed gun dealer, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms steps in with manpower and other resources local police agencies don't have.

"We have had several over the last few years we were successful at solving. We will use those tactics to track these guys down," Hand explained.

There’s a $10,000 reward for information that leads police to arrests and convictions. Call the ATF at 317-287-3500 or Crimestoppers at 317-262-TIPS.

Previous gun robberies:

In early November, three men burst into a Lawrence gun store. The security camera shows them waving guns, attacking the owner and subduing an employee and a customer. They made off with 43 handguns, assault rifles and tactical shotguns. In less than a month, federal and local police had three men under arrest. One is pleading guilty, the other two are awaiting trial.

In March 2015, authorities arrested three Indianapolis men and charged them with murdering and robbing a North Vernon gun store owner in September 2014.

The ATF cites two other gun thefts that ended with arrest. In many cases, it is the stolen guns that lead investigators to the thieves.

"If anyone has information a quantity of firearms that was acquired overnight that seems to be somewhat suspicious," Hand asked, "give us a call."

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