BILLINGS – Law enforcement officials said 133 firearms, most of them handguns, were recently stolen from a Billings shipping company in one of the largest such heists in the state’s history.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released details of the previously undisclosed August heist on Wednesday in hopes making the case public will lead to a breakthrough.
A $10,000 reward was offered for help solving the crime.
The 113 handguns and 20 long guns were taken on the night of Aug. 2 from Con-way Freight Company, which was shipping the firearms for owner MT Sports.
Officials said the suspect or suspects somehow got past a security fence around the shipping company’s perimeter, then cut the locks on several tractor trailers before coming to the one with the firearms.
Other merchandise was left behind at the crime scene, suggesting the perpetrator may have been targeting guns for theft, ATF Montana Resident Agent in Charge Kenneth Bray said.
They were valued at about $40,000 — although the street value could be higher because their will be no record of any sales.
“When they do show up in a drive-by shooting or an aggravated shooting in Billings or Denver or wherever, these are guns that cannot be traced,” Bray said.
The number of firearms taken is more than the number stolen citywide in 2009, when 132 were taken, said Billings Police Chief Rich St. John.
Most gun thefts in the community come during house break-ins or “smash and grab” burglaries of sporting goods or gun shops, he said.