(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s (DA) Office, Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), and Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers are joining forces to try and bring the suspects responsible for a number of gun store smash-and-grab burglaries to justice.

The latest in a string of burglaries resulting in numerous firearm thefts occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 8. According to CSPD, Spartan Defense Armory and Training at Barnes and Tutt and another gun store in the 4700 block of Peace Palace Point were broken into between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Thursday. 

According to the DA’s Office, these were not the only gun store burglaries in recent months, as another gun store was also burglarized in a similar smash-and-grab in July.

“My office and our local law enforcement partners are taking a zero-tolerance policy towards smash-and-grab crimes targeting businesses in our community, particularly as related to stealing firearms,” said DA Michael Allen. “This criminal behavior poses a significant risk to the community and creates undue hardship on upstanding business owners.”

In response to the smash-and-grab burglaries using stolen cars to break into gun stores, the DA’s Office and CSPD said they would be working in partnership to prioritize these kinds of calls.

“The trend of these smash-and-grab burglaries, especially at firearm retailers, is of great concern to our department and the City of Colorado Springs,” said Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. “I know that these types of crimes can be devastating for business owners and can often lead to the commission of other violent crimes creating an even larger community impact.”

Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or group of people responsible for these crimes. Anyone with information should contact CSPD at (719) 444-7000 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-STOP (7867).