ATF, NSSF Offers up to $10,000 Reward on Sparks Firearms burglary

Las Cruces - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Las Cruces Police Department, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and/or arrest of the suspect responsible for the theft of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), Sparks Firearms, located at 1560 W. Pichacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM.

In the morning hours of Friday, August 5, 2022, one unidentified suspect broke into the rear of the premises by prying open a rear door. Surveillance video from a neighboring store shows the male suspect making several trips in and out of the business, stealing 26 firearms. The suspect was seen walking north toward the adjacent mobile home complex. Las Cruces Police Department and ATF personnel canvased the area but were unable to locate the perpetrator. The investigation continues.

"Recovering these firearms quickly before additional crimes are committed remains a top priority for ATF. We are asking the public to please let authorities know if you recognize this individual," said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C Boshek II.

Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF at 1-888-ATFTIPS. Information can also be sent to [email protected], through ATF's website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.

The reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF, in which NSSF matches ATF rewards in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers. ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at ">www.atf.gov.