Authorities arrested two people accused of forcing their way into the Blackland Hills Gun Works and stealing multiple shotguns and rifles.
Following a multi-agency operation on Oct. 19, William Baker, 17, and Tony Moore, 17, were arrested during a traffic stop in Manor. Officials said they were in possession of the stolen weapons from the Hutto shop.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to an alarm at the business near U.S. 79 and FM 3349 around 4:20 a.m. Oct. 17, and that deputies found the front window had been broken. “Approximately 10-15 shotguns and rifles were stolen,” the sheriff’s office said.
WCSO said surveillance video showed six people wearing masks and gloves forcing their way into the building.
Watch the surveillance video here:
The vehicle Baker and Moore are accused of using was found abandoned around a half mile away from the store along FM 3349.
Both Baker and Moore were booked into the Travis County Jail and charged with theft of a firearm.
“The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office along with federal and local partners will track down and bring to justice those who prey on local businesses and our community for illegal criminal activity. Specifically weapon thefts on a large scale, as this crime. How many times do we need to echo that there is a new Sheriff in town! Which, by the way, his crime detectives will find you,” said Sheriff Robert Chody.
In a press release, authorities did not specify if they are continuing their investigation into the other four people seen in the original surveillance video.