Five times in five years, Cleveland Armory in Valley View has either been robbed or burglarized.
Wednesday night marked the most recent incident, with the suspects being three men in a car stolen from Lakewood.
“Their intent was to try to come here and take whatever entry they could,” owner Todd Karam said.
Coincidentally, Valley View Police were also there, and saw the men coming.
It led to a chase, and ultimately, two arrests. A third will likely come soon.
“I’m grateful…that they’re vigilant and able to do that,” Karam said.
It may be especially important now, as gun stores have become targets in Northeast Ohio.
On July 11th, 23 guns were stolen at Stonewall Gun Shop in Broadview Heights and at least 3 men are on the run.
On July 14th, 15 guns were stolen from Wyandot Firearms in Upper Sandusky and at least three men from that are still on the loose.
On July 16th, there was an attempted burglary at Silverado Arms in Mentor that ended with four suspects in custody.
“If you’re breaking into a store, if you’re going to commit violence to get that firearm, then you can only assume that the firearm’s not going to be used for any good purposes,” Suzanne Dabkowski with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said.
She said it is also not clear whether the cases could be connected.
“They are happening in the same general physical location as well as that they’re very particular at breaking into licensed firearms dealers,” she said.
Karam suspects gangs and noticed the suspects are young, and often for a reason. Age can land them in juvenile court and avoid federal charges.
“This is a 'free pass' you know for juveniles. So, they always send in the young kids to do it,” he said.
There are rewards for information that leads to arrests.