HOUSTON – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms confirmed to Channel 2 that authorities have made multiple arrests in the smash-and grab robbery at a gun store in southwest Houston.
Federal charges are expected to be filed as the investigation continues.
Authorities released surveillance video showing around 10 people they say stole dozens of weapons around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday at Carter's Country Guns and Ammo in the 11000 block of South Wilcrest Drive.
According to police, several people tied chains to a black Ford F-250, and pulled the metal covered glass doors off its hinges.
"It's frightening, it takes a lot of nerve," said Bob Doguim, former FBI Agent. "I'm telling you, that many people and that kind of theft, there's no way no one else knows about this outside that group."
Dogium said after watching only a few seconds of the Tuesday's heist at Carter's Country store one thing is clear.
"Just from quickly looking at the video and how they moved throughout the store, one it's not only their first rodeo, and two, that’s probably not their first time in that store." said Dogium. "Not only do you have the issue of the actual theft, but then you have of course what's was stolen. And that's probably the bigger concern of the two."
Investigators said they went inside the building, ransacked the store and caused extensive damage to the business. The suspects used a hammer to break the glass cases that stored the handguns and took several rifles of the rack.
They left the location with firearms and exchanged vehicles around a block away. The suspect fled the second location in an unknown direction, possibly in a late model Chevrolet Traverse SUV.
Video surveillance cameras captured images of the suspects wearing a variety of different clothing including hooded sweatshirt, masks and gloves to conceal their identities.
More than 50 weapons in all were stolen and some suspects are still being sought out.
Crime Stoppers will offer up to $5,000 for information in this case.
Anyone with information is urged to call 713-222-TIPS (8477).