Guns Stolen In Overnight Burglary At Bass Pro Shops

DENVER (CBS4) - Police in Denver are investigating after criminals smashed a door at the Bass Pro Shops located in The Shops At Northfield Stapleton overnight and stole firearms.

Police responded to the Denver store when an alarm went off just after 2:30 a.m. Thursday. A door was smashed in by two suspects, who got away.

Due to the size of the store, police spent much of the morning sweeping through with K9s to make sure no one was still inside.

Police said ropes surrounding a gun section were cut and five firearms were stolen, including four hunting rifles and a shotgun. They also made off with bags of merchandise.

"We can confirm at this time that four hunting rifles taken and one shotgun," Raquel Lopez with Denver Police said. "We can confirm no assault rifles were taken or no handguns were taken."

Brazen gun burglaries have been taking place around the country. One in Houston got national attention. Then what appeared to be a copycat case happened in northern California with thieves pulling off the burglar bars with a vehicle in order to get inside and take off with the firearms.

Just recently Richard Taylor, manager at Firing Line in Aurora, says the shatter-proof glass there would prevent that type of operation at his store.

"Obviously, we're a target, and we've got to make it as difficult as possible for criminals to get in," Taylor said.

Bass Pro Shops carry a large supply of firearms.

Police were looking to obtain surveillance video that shows the burglary in progress.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the investigation.