LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police said officers recovered items taken from a break-in at a gun store in southwest Jefferson County early Wednesday, and the business is offering a cash reward for information.
An LMPD spokesperson said in a written statement that officers from the 3rd Division responded to a commercial burglar alarm at a firearms store in the 5000 block of Stephan Drive around 2:30 a.m. That's just off Dixie Highway near East Pages Lane in southwest Jefferson County.
The spokesperson did not clarify an exact address or identify the business, but WDRB crews saw LMPD investigators inside Alpha Guns at 5004 Stephan Drive reviewing surveillance video.
WDRB video from the scene shows broken front windows and shattered glass on the ground with investigators inside and outside the store.
When officers arrived "suspects were seen fleeing the location in a vehicle from which they ran a short distance away," according to the LMPD statement.
It appears at least one suspect took a gun and then climbed back through the barred window. Neighbors in the area told WDRB the suspects tried cutting through a parking lot to get away, but crashed when they tried driving over a ditch.
Neighbors said they saw people jump out of the wrecked vehicle and take off. A WDRB crew shot video of a vehicle a short distance away from the scene, but police have not officially confirmed that it was connected to the case.
This image taken from video dated July 20, 2022, shows two LMPD officers near a car that was abandoned after a break-in at Alpha Guns on Stephan Drive in southwest Jefferson County. (WDRB photo/Pete Ruiz)
"I didn't know nothing until a few hours later," said Mark Thompson, who lives near the gun store. "I talked to a guy who lives a couple doors down. He was outside when it actually happened. He said he seen them run off with all these guns. He said they ran every different direction."
On its Facebook page Alpha Guns said it is closed after a break-in and posted an image taken from its surveillance video. The post says a cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest:
"WE WILL BE CLOSED TODAY AND POSSIBLY LONGER AS WE WERE BROKEN INTO THIS MORNING. IF YOU RECOGNIZE THIS FACE AND WANT A GOOD CASH REWARD FOR HIS NAME CONTACT US VIA MESSENGER"
This image taken from surveillance video dated July 20, 2022, shows a person suspected of breaking into Alpha Guns on Stephan Drive in southwest Jefferson County, Ky. The store says it is offering a cash reward for information leading to his capture. (Alpha Guns)
K-9 officers and a helicopter were brought in to help officers search for the search for suspects. Federal agents from the ATF are assisting with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LMPD crime tip line at 502-574-LMPD. Tips can also be submitted anonymously on the department's crime tip portal by clicking here.
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