100 Guns Stolen In Rocklin Smash And Grab Part Of Troubling Trend
ROCKLIN (CBS13) — Thieves are targeting Northern California gun stores and using anything they can to break in and steal has many guns as they can.
In the most recent crime, Rocklin Police say thieves stole 100 handguns and rifles. Thieves have also targeted Petaluma and Ventura County.
Bryce Volarvich says it was systematic and speedy.
"They knew what they were doing," he said.
In less than five minutes, thieves rammed a stolen car through Rocklin's Gun Vault at 4 a.m. on Sunday and emptied display cases and a wall of rifles.
"The business standpoint of this doesn't quite matter to me. What matters to me is that there's 100 guns on the street right now. In not the right person's hands," he said.
Police departments across the state are reporting an uptick in gun store break-ins. Many share a common theme—cars used as weapons.
In Ventura County, thieves plowed a big rig to get into a store, while in Petaluma they backed a car into the door. In Houston, a truck ripped the doors right off.
"Our concern is that obviously criminals are doing the break-ins and probably not able to purchase a firearm legally and they're going to use they firearm in some other crime," said Sgt. Gilbert Farrulla.
Detectives are teaming up with Bay Area police departments to see if the incident is connected with a rash of gun store burglaries there. Police discovered the getaway car in the East Bay community of Emeryville.
"The black market is extremely lucrative market. Unfortunately I don't think we'll ever be able to curb that market. No way you can," Volarvich said.
Police say thieves turn around and sell the stolen guns on the street for dirt cheap. The Department of Justice says the majority of guns stolen are usually never recovered.
