Firearms stolen from Coal City gun shop

It took just 60 seconds for a band of burglars to break-in to a Coal City business, grab an assortment of firearms and head out of town.

The Coal City Police Department is now working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives [ATF] on the case that involves the theft of guns from Southland Firearms & Shooting Supply at 692 E. Division St.

It was in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 27 that police were notified of an activated alarm at the business and by the time officers arrived, the offenders were gone.

Sgt. Jason Clark, the department’s investigator, said four black men gained entry by breaking the front door. After grabbing an undisclosed number of weapons from the showroom, they fled the area in a smaller economy vehicle, possibly a KIA, Clark said.

Since this is an active investigation, the police department would not release many details regarding the crime, but did say it appears to be an isolated incident with offenders who are not from the area.

Clark is working with the ATF on the investigation, the federal agency having jurisdiction over the crime.

Federal firearms license holders must report each missing, lost or stolen firearm from their inventory or collection to ATF within 48 hours of discovery, as well as notification to local law enforcement.

In 2021, the ATF reported there were 10,325 weapons reported lost or stolen nationwide as a result of burglary, larceny, robbery or other type of loss. Last year in Illinois there were 38 reports filed indicating the theft or loss of 283 firearms with 95 of those resulting from a burglary.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Sgt. Clark at 815-634-2341.