Authorities search for burglars after break-in at Big Daddy Guns

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Local and federal agencies searched for burglars on Thursday morning after a gun store in Gainesville was broken into.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, two people broke a window and entered Big Daddy Guns on Northwest 5th Place.

Deputies responded to the store less than four minutes after an alarm was tripped at 3:27 a.m. When they arrived, deputies caught the suspects in the act and they fled.

The suspects dropped some of the weapons as they ran The sheriff’s office is declining to release any details regarding the type of weapons stolen or the quantity.

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“Stolen guns mean criminals have them, not law-abiding citizens,” said Nathan Brantley, a resident. “That is a concern as to what they might be doing with them.”

Alachua County K9 units, forensics teams, and air unit all aided in the search. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is involved in the investigation.

Deputies ask people who live and work in the area to check their surveillance cameras for the suspects. Some people who live in the area say they’re worried because no one was caught.

“It definitely puts the neighborhood on high alert,” said Eric Bassriel, a resident. “With all the technology and the ring alarms and stuff, we do communicate. We keep an eye on it, but we like to be at ease and at peace in your day-to-day functions and not worry about stuff like this.”

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A representative for Big Daddy Guns tells TV20 the store has a high level of security and alarm systems.

“We take these situations very seriously and we intend to do the same,” said Nicholas Lahera, a public relations coordinator for Big Daddy Guns. “We intend to help law enforcement in any way they can to complete their investigation and we hope to recover every firearm.”

In 2018, three men robbed the gun store stealing a dozen firearms worth thousands of dollars.

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