Arrests reported in New Kensington gun store smash and grab

Federal investigators say they’ve arrested four men who may be connected to the theft of about two dozen firearms from a New Kensington gun shop.

TribLive news partner WTAE first reported the suspects in the burglary were taken into custody Wednesday after police stopped an Audi at the intersection of West Street and East 15th Street in Homestead.

The arrests were confirmed Thursday by Ronald Sabotchick, resident agent in charge for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is investigating the case. He did not have any other details.

Two of the men appear to be from New Kensington, according to online court records, but none had been arraigned on the charges as of Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, the owners of the gun shop, RC Firearms on Freeport Street, are installing barriers to prevent someone from breaking in the same way again.

The thieves used a pickup truck to smash through the door at the gun shop early Monday.

Twenty-two or 23 handguns and two long guns were taken, said Philadelphia ATF spokesman Alan Gilmore.

The store is owned by Roy Berg and his son, Cole. Roy Berg said they are having concrete barriers installed outside the building that will be capable of stopping a vehicle. That will be in addition to other security measures.

“We will take all necessary steps to prevent this from happening again,” Roy Berg said.

The Bergs, both military veterans, opened RC Firearms last February. Roy served in the Marines, and Cole joined the Army.

Gilmore said Wednesday authorities are looking for two suspects.

“We do have some leads we are actively following up on,” he said.

So far, none of the stolen guns have turned up , Gilmore said. They have been entered into the National Crime Information Center and will come up as stolen if found.

The concern is that the theft diverts the stolen weapons from a legal store to the black market, where they can end up in the hands of people not legally allowed to possess them and be used to commit other crimes, Gilmore said.

“This is a rapidly moving case,” he said. “It’s Priority One for the agents out there. They are working every angle they can, as fast as they can.”

$10,000 reward offered

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary.

“Obviously, there is always concern when something like this occurs,” New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said. “Our number one priority is always the safety of our citizens. I have complete confidence in our police department as well as all of the law enforcement departments who are working tirelessly on this case, and I am confident that they will resolve this and bring the people who are responsible to justice.”

Police responded quickly to the break-in, getting there within three or four minutes, said Cole Berg — who is also a Frazer police officer.

“We really appreciate the quick response time from the New Kensington Police Department,” he said.

Customers have volunteered to help them begin repairing the damage, Roy Berg said. They plan to reopen as soon as possible but don’t know when that will be.

While in disbelief over what happened, the father and son are not discouraged. They opened RC Firearms out of the belief that communities need local gun shops, and covid had caused many to close.

“We have faith in law enforcement and the agencies investigating everything,” Cole Berg said. “These guys will be caught. We believe good will prevail.”

Anyone with information about the burglary should contact the ATF at 888-283-8577 or New Kensington police at 724-339-7533. Information also can be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov and through the ATF’s website.