Hanover, VA – On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the Hanover Sheriff’s Office responded to 8151 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Hopkins Gun & Tackle, for a reported commercial burglary. Once deputies arrived on scene they found the front door of the business broken out. Once an inventory was completed it was discovered that numerous handguns were stolen.
The evening of March 21, 2016, additional break-ins also occurred at Southern Police Equipment in the 7600 block of Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield County and at Cross Tactical Supply on E. Williamsburg Road in Henrico County. Investigators believe that these three incidents are related.
ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms industry — have announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the theft of firearms from Hopkins Gun and Tackle. ATF is offering a reward in the amount of $2,500, which will be matched by the NSSF, for a total reward of $5,000.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 365-6140 or the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 (CRIMES), using the keyword “iTip” followed by their tip. Both Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous, and can result in a reward of up to $1,000.