Federal Agency Offers $10,000 Reward In Gun Looting Case

HAYWARD, CA — With all of the looting that's taken place in the East Bay over the past week, one crime has caught the attention of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The ATF and a firearm industry trade association are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information about the theft of 29 firearms from a gun shop in Hayward last weekend. About 30-40 people broke into the shop and stole the guns, then fled, according to the ATF.

The theft was part of widespread looting following the death of unarmed black man George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police. All four officers in that case have been charged.

The guns were stolen from Richardson Tactical, a shop on National Avenue.

The ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000 and the National Shooting Sports Foundation trade association is offering the same, creating the total reward of up to $10,000. The NSSF matches the ATF rewards in cases involving firearm thefts from federally licensed firearm retailers.

If you have information about the Hayward theft, call the ATF at 800-ATF-GUNS or use the Report It smartphone app.

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story