FRIDLEY, Minn. - The frustration in firearms dealer Mike Briggs' voice is unmistakeable.

How else is a businessman supposed to feel when he's been targeted by thieves three times in the past 15 months, losing tens of thousands of dollars in the process.

The latest break-in occurred around 9 p.m. Monday at the Trail's End Bass Pro Shop on the corner of Highway 65 and Osborne Road in Fridley. Briggs says a boulder the size of a bowling ball was thrown through a plate glass window in  front of the store, and then at least one person slipped through the iron security bars inside.

Trail's End is still doing inventory but it is believed that between six and a dozen handguns were stolen Monday night. That's on top of dozens more handguns and assault rifles taken during two other break-ins, one in July of 2011 and another in July of 2012.

Briggs believes that the same people are responsible for all three thefts and says he suspects that the guns are being sold, perhaps by organized gangs. He is gathering money for a reward, and also wants to warn the community that additional firearms are now on the street. There is frustration in that Briggs has taken extra steps to make the business more secure and it still isn't enough.

Anyone who knows anything about the gun heists or those responsible is asked to call Fridley police.

 

 

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