North Royalton Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working to solve a recent robbery at the Accurate Arms and Ammunition, located at 6834 Bunker Road. The theft took place at about 4.15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27.
Surveillance video shows the burglars smashing their way into the store with what is believed to be a sledgehammer. Seven rifles were taken from Accurate Arms, which is a federal firearms licensee, according to the ATF. They then fled in a stolen car.
Less than a week later, on Monday, January 2, at about 4:14 a.m., police, who were on heightened patrol, spotted a car that resembled the car on the video. They attempted to stop the car, which then crashed into the police cruiser, with four black males fleeing. One officer suffered minor injuries. Police Departments from Parma and Broadview Heights were notified. A sledgehammer and firearm box was found in the vehicle. One male was apprehended near West Wallings and State Roads. He was taken into custody, but was uncooperative, according to North Royalton Detective, David Loeding. The male, being a juvenile with no previous offenses, was released. North Royalton Police suspect the robbery to be gang affiliated and possibly associated with other like-crimes that have taken place. The investigation is continuing.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation and the ATF are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the prosecution of the suspects. Anyone with information about the crime should contact Detective David Leoding at the North Royalton Police Department at 440-582-6218, or the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867); via email at ATFTips@atf.gov or through an online tip service at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer