Authorities address break-in at Orangeburg pawn shop
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is continuing to investigate the theft of multiple guns from an Orangeburg Pawn Shop last month.
The ATF issued a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
A spokesperson for the ATF wouldn’t say how many firearms were stolen from the pawn shop but said it was a high number. The spokesperson said those suspects are a threat to the Orangeburg community.
Surveillance video from the “Pawn It Fast” pawn shop on North Road shows two individuals stealing multiple firearms from the business on June 22nd.
According to the ATF, the suspects wore masks and gloves and created a hole in an exterior wall to break into the shop last month.
WIS News 10 spoke with ATF’s Public Information Officer Corey Ray who said the threat of the stolen firearms could end up in the wrong hands of people on the streets.
“That’s the threat that we’re most concerned about and that’s the reason we’re offering the reward and working with our partners in this case working with the Orangeburg Police Department to try to follow up on any leads and to get closer to identifying those suspects,” said Ray.
Lieutenant Dannie Thomas from the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office shared General tips for gun safety.
“If you’re a business owner, keep them in a safe location and not leave them where they’re easily accessible to children or to anybody that does not have the mental capacity to handle a weapon,” said Thomas.
WIS News 10 also spoke with the owner of the pawn shop who declined to do an interview but said that the wall the suspects made a hole out of during the theft has been fixed. He also said new alarms and cameras were placed outside of the business.
“If someone happens to know something or if they’ve come across the individuals or come across the firearms, it’s great to let us know. That information is going to go a long way in helping identify suspects who committed this crime but are threatening their community,” said Ray.
The ATF is continuing to investigate the incident and urges anyone who may have seen anything to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS.
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