Brant County OPP say a large number of handguns were stolen from Triggers and Bows, west of Brantford early Friday morning.
The theft has many from the area on high alert.
“Naturally with fire arms being stolen, it is a concern,” said Chuck Prystupa, who helps run Urban Tactical, another local firearms store.
Police say suspects smashed the front window of the store on Colbourne Street West in Mount Vernon at approximately 12:32 a.m., and that a pickup truck was used to yank on the security gate.
The suspects fled the scene in a stolen white Chevrolet pickup truck, which was later found abandoned on Highway 403, near Brant County Road 25.
Prystupa said that he’s aware of the brazen theft at Triggers and Bows, as well as another attempted theft at a Hamilton shop in March.
“We are cautious of it, and beware of anyone you know, maybe anyone hanging around the shop after hours or anything like that,” said Prystupa.
He said illegally obtained guns put the public’s safety at risk, which is why residents nearby are worried.
“It’s scary, it’s a concern to everybody that lives in the area,” said area resident Patti Pilgrimm.
“People usually from Hamilton or Toronto would come here, small town shops, steal them and then take them to the city. I can’t see anyone from this community, really, perpetrating something like that,” said Andrea Gurganus, who is also an area resident.
