Police: Over 50 firearms stolen from Newington gun shop, reward offered for suspects

Dozens of firearms were stolen from a gun shop in the Newington area in an overnight burglary this past weekend, the Fairfax County Police Department says.

Over 50 firearms were taken from Dominion Defense (7200 Fullerton Road) between 3 and 4 a.m. on Saturday (April 29), according to police.

Four masked men were seen on security footage working together to gain entry into the business through a small opening above the door. Three of the four men stole 53 firearms, which were a combination of long guns and handguns. The fourth subject remained outside as a lookout. The suspects left in a gray Acura four-door sedan with no front license plate.

The FCPD’s Major Crimes Bureau has now partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation to offer a $11,000 reward for information that will help them identify and locate the suspects.

“ATF will continue to collaborate with our partners by offering our investigative and analytical resources to ensure that the stolen firearms are recovered as quickly as possible,” ATF Washington Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel said in a news release. “More often than not, stolen firearms are used in a crime of violence that often leads to someone being injured or killed.”

As of today (Thursday), over 14,000 people in the U.S. have died from gun violence this year, more than half of them by suicide, according to data collected by the independent nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

The FCPD advises anyone with information to contact detectives at its West Springfield Police District by calling 703-644-7377. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone (1-866-411-TIPS) and online.