ATF and Police Search for Suspects After Multiple Firearms Stolen from Cincinnati Pawn Shop; $5,000 Reward Offered

ATF and Police Search for Suspects After Multiple Firearms Stolen from Cincinnati Pawn Shop; $5,000 Reward Offered

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in partnership with the Cincinnati Police Department and local authorities, is investigating a major burglary at a Cincinnati-area pawn shop. The heist resulted in the theft of multiple firearms, raising concerns about these weapons hitting the streets and prompting federal agencies to issue a substantial cash reward for information.

The Break-In and Gun Theft

According to investigators, the burglary occurred in late December 2024. The suspects targeted the pawn shop during the overnight hours, utilizing forced entry to gain access to the building. Once inside, the perpetrators quickly smashed glass display cases and bypassed security measures to steal a significant inventory of handguns and long guns before fleeing before police could arrive.

Security footage captured images of the suspects, who appeared to have coordinated the operation, moving swiftly through the store. Detectives believe the theft may be linked to a broader pattern of commercial burglaries and gun store break-ins that have plagued the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region in recent months, often involving stolen vehicles used to ram storefronts.

Federal Involvement and $5,000 Reward

Because the theft involved firearms, federal agents from the ATF's Columbus Field Division immediately joined the investigation. To accelerate the identification and arrest of the suspects, the ATF, alongside the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms industry — announced a joint reward of up to $5,000.

"Stealing firearms from a federally licensed retailer is a serious federal crime that threatens public safety," an ATF spokesperson stated. "We are asking the community to look closely at any details they might know and help us recover these dangerous weapons before they are used in violent crimes."

How to Help

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspects, the stolen firearms, or the incident to contact investigators immediately. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the ATF tip line at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), emailing [email protected], or contacting local Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. All tips will be kept strictly confidential.