Tulsa Police, ATF Search For Gun Thieves

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa Police and agents with the ATF are working to find the thieves who took 17 handguns from a Tulsa gun store. Now, a $5,000 reward is being offered.

It happened late Sunday night at the Tulsa Firearms store at 61st and Garnett.

10/26/2009  Related Story: Police: Guns Stolen From Tulsa Business

The manager of the east Tulsa store is surprised at how the thieves got in and worried the stolen guns could end up in the wrong hands.

In 33 years in business, Dave Randle with Tulsa Firearms says he hasn't seen a break-in any stranger than the one at the store late Sunday night. Thieves used pallets to climb on top of the building, and then one slid down a tiny air vent.

"They tried to cut through the ceiling first and saw they couldn't do that, so they tore off the air vent and then dropped down through there," said Dave Randle, Tulsa Firearms. "How in the heck could he have possibly done it? That's... the guy says 16 inches, maybe 20."

Police say once a man squeezed his way inside, the thief triggered alarms, but quickly grabbed what he could before police arrived -- seventeen guns in all.

"Just closest thing they could get to, just grab and run," said Dave Randle.

The guns, which include Springfield 1911s, and XDs, amount to about $14,000 insured.

"I was hot and just extremely angry. No other way to describe it," said Dave Randle.

Randle says he hates the thought of the guns in the wrong hands.

"Well, the first thing that hits my mind is I don't want these guns out on the street," said Dave Randle.

While Tulsa Police and ATF agents investigate, Randle says potential gun buyers need to watch out for the guns.

"If they don't have the box and paperwork with it, I'd be real leery," said Dave Randle.

At the same time, the store is adding even more security measures to try to keep anyone from squeezing in again.

"When we get through, they're going to have to be a lizard to get in here," said Dave Randle.

The ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information in the case. You can call the Tulsa ATF office at 918-594-1800 or 800-ATF-GUNS.