Reward Offered For Help Finding Looters Who Stole Firearms

SANTA MONICA, CA — A reward of up to $10,000 was announced Monday for information that helps authorities track down looters who stole more than two dozen firearms from a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Santa Monica. The store was among many businesses damaged May 31 following an hourslong demonstration against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

The store, in the 3100 block of Wilshire Boulevard, was broken into about 8 p.m. that Sunday and is a federal firearms licensee, said Ginger Colbrun of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"A group of unidentified suspects used a crowbar and a sledgehammer to break the windows and utilized bolt cutters to cut the metal roll-down gate," Colbrun said. "They opened the emergency exit door of the business to gain entry to the business. Once inside, the suspects stole 29 firearms from the business."

The suspects fled in a white BMW four-door sedan, she said.

ATF Los Angeles and the National Shooting Sports Foundation each pledged $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact ATF at 888- ATF-TIPS; visit www.reportit.com; or make a report through the mobile "reportit" app, available both on Google Play and the Apple App Store. All calls will be kept confidential.

Another Big5 Sporting Goods Store was reportedly looted June 1 at 4343 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, police told Patch.

Police got a call that an alarm was sounding and saw a truck leaving the store, Community Relations Officer Marissa Yabko told Patch.

Police confirmed it was a burglary and tried to stop the truck, Yabko told Patch. When the truck didn't stop, police pursued the vehicle until the driver stopped in Pasadena. The driver reportedly had Big 5 merchandise in the truck, she added.

The suspects' names were not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for more information.

- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

See more:

• City Won't Prosecute Peaceful Protesters
• You're Invited To Join Samohi's Virtual Graduation
• Suspect Accused Of Attempted Murder On LAPD Officer