ATF: Hundreds of guns stolen from Memphis UPS facility

Federal authorities want the public’s help tracking down hundreds of firearms stolen from a United Parcel Service facility in Memphis over the weekend. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of two suspects caught on surveillance camera Sunday loading at least 400 firearms into a U-Haul before taking off.

Michael Knight, an ATF spokesman, told the Associated Press its one of the single largest gun thefts the agency ever investigated. He warned the process of tracking down stolen guns through shipping manifests will be “a very tedious process” — more complicated than tracing firearms stolen from licensed dealers.

“We are concerned that the firearms will end up on the streets not only potentially in the Memphis area, but also across the country,” he said. “The criminal element knows no geographical boundary.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson said in a press release Monday, “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence will leverage investigative resources combined with the community partnerships to solve this violent criminal act.” This year, the Department of Justice named Memphis as one of the cities participating in the Public Safety Partnership — a collaborative effort between state, local and federal law enforcement agencies to reduce escalating crime rates.

Anyone with information should contact ATF at (800) ATF-Guns (1-800-283-4867) or the Memphis Police Department at (901) 528-2274.  Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

Crime Stoppers of Memphis and Shelby Counties, likewise, will provide a $1,000 reward for any tips in the case.