Audio By Carbonatix
Roughly 50 guns were stolen from a San Tan Valley pawn shop early yesterday morning in two separate burglaries. Now authorities want your help in tracking down the alleged thieves.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the Perfect Pawn and Jewelery pawn shop at 40975 North Ironwood Drive after employees noticed someone had broken into a storage room in the back of the store.
Surveillance footage captured two thieves breaking into the storage room about 1:50 a.m. and removing several firearms.
About 7:27 a.m., the cameras rolled as another thief broke into the storage room and stole even more guns.
When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
PCSO spokesman Elias Johnson says the two burglaries are likely related.
Johnson says the guns that were stolen were semi-automatic rifles, handguns — “anything they could get their hands on.”
Because the store is a federal firearms licensee, the suspects are looking at federal prison time, assuming they’re apprehended.
There are now roughly 50 guns in the hands of apparent criminals — stolen from a pawn shop in relatively close proximity to the Mexican border — so authorities are taking the burglary pretty seriously — they’re offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those involved.
So, if a friend drops by your house with 50 recently acquired guns, call the PCSO’s hotline at 520-866-5116.