Suspects sought in break-in

Published 3:08 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Farmville Police are investigating a breaking and entering at Ayers Building and Supply Co. Inc. at 710 N. Main St. that resulted in “multiple firearms” being stolen Wednesday morning.

“At approximately 4 a.m., at least two suspects forced entry into the business taking an undisclosed number of handguns and long guns,” police said in a press release. “A tracking K-9 from the Virginia State Police was called to the scene and located a scent trail. Evidence discovered along the scent trail leads detectives to believe that the suspects left the scene via Osborne Road and High Bridge Trail State Park, eventually making their way to a vehicle on River Road.”

Lynn Ayers, the store owner, said the store was reportedly broken into through the back garage door.

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Ayers said a sledge hammer may have been used to enter a room that contained guns.

He said handguns were stolen as a result of the break-in.

Ayers and police on the scene said Wednesday morning they were viewing surveillance video to determine the timeframe of the incident.

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is assisting with the investigation and they are offering a reward in the amount of $2,500, which will be matched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry, which brings the total possible reward in this case to $5,000,” police said in the release.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Farmville Emergency Communication Center at (434) 392-3332 or the ATF confidential tip line at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or online at ATFTips@atf.gov.