Massive Gun Heist

[Frenchy]

Any one heard of this?

Massive Gun Heist

(Westfield, Pennsylvania) Sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, thieves broke into Ackley and Sons Sporting Goods Store in Westfield and removed

"100 to 200 handguns, assault rifles and an undisclosed amount of cash from the business. Thieves climbed a utility pole and cut a phone line tied to the store's burglary alarm system, rendering it useless. They also destroyed two keypads in the store to activate and de-activate the burglary alarm. Once inside, they looted five cash registers, overturned but could not break into the business's safe, and smashed display cases. Handguns ranged from .17 caliber to .45 caliber and the rifles included civilian versions of the AK-47 and the M-16, known as an AR-15."

The FBI and the ATF are working the case with state and local law enforcement. According to Westfield Police Chief Ron Adams, more than one burglar is suspected, however, they are currently searching for leads in the case. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to a conviction.

I don't think it's possible to overstate the seriousness of this heist. It potentially puts a lot of weapons into the hands of a lot of bad people. Anyone with information is asked to call the Westfield Police Department at (814)-367-2769.

http://interested-participant.blogsp...33530954911931

[Frenchy]

I searched as much as I could and cant come up with any info on this "heist". One would think som ething this big would be in the news every where.

The only place that talks about it is the place I originally found it. Any one in that area heard or can confirm/deny this story?

[DeltaII5]

Can't find anything either....

Those are some nifty tricks to get in there.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by DeltaII5

Can't find anything either....

Those are some nifty tricks to get in there.

What nifty tricks?

[DeltaII5]

Scaling a telephone pole and cutting the phone line for a the alarm system.

Most people it seems just go for the smash and grab.

[exceltoexcel]

it is called radio or cellular backup I never sold an alarm without telling everyone to get it! You can smash a napco keypad to little bitty pieces and the system will still work!

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by exceltoexcel

it is called radio or cellular backup I never sold an alarm without telling everyone to get it! You can smash a napco keypad to little bitty pieces and the system will still work!

Some people loooove radio backups, cellular tech is so nice, unless it happens to drop a call, and then you get charged for false alarms... Most of our clients who have cellular backups have them because they are obliged or where told it was so much better, after being called on a regular basis about the cellular radio fail... they quickly change idea. Don’t get me wrong, there are many areas where cellular technology or radio backups can be the best deal, but many times the “TX” and RX” are in possible conflict with other elements in the area.

Because of the rising costs in false alarms by the police, (in some areas in excess of $500 per false alarm $1500. in Cincinnati for a false fire after 3rd time) many clients opt to not do auto dispatch on a phone fail.
A place like this if this is in fact true, should have had UL line monitoring, cellular backup and a video via cable. Three forms of separate security and defense. Many stores now have this; jewelers are almost compelled to have this. Offsite video monitoring is probably the best as it gives the owner the chance to decide what action to take. With the internet systems now available, the cost is negligible and they can monitor from any laptop with an internet connection.

If the cell or phone line goes down, a quick call to the manager or store owner and he can view in real time if some thing is up. If both crash, the Pd is sent and the owner is advised. Pd is regularly sent on possible phone line cuts. Many places now also opt for 2 separate centrals to monitor their stores.

I already talked about alarm in this thread http://www.pafoa.org/forum/14773-post-24.html for the money, this “client” would have been better with a UL like monitoring. Many places offer “react” systems, generally they are only to local business IE: Guardian only covers the Pittsburgh area “React” Although the do have line monitoring in other areas, the react is very different as the monitoring can control the phone line, IE Down Up and poll the phone line to see if it is in fact down or only a temporary glitch. Other systems are also possibly hardwired directly to the Police or Fire station. The central when calling the police station in these instances only “confirm” the zone and type of alarm.


P.S. Exo, you never told me you where in alarm sales!!

[JDshoots]

Do a search in Yahoo with “Ackley and Sons Sporting” You will find many listings for local news media and you will also see it happened in January, but the 31 of 2005. The AP did a short blurb on it, but all their links are dead. It wasn't until I went into the second page of links that I saw it was a year old story.
WNEP and WFRM both have short writeups, and the AP Article is gone

[Warners Surplus]

Originally Posted by JDshoots

Do a search in Yahoo with “Ackley and Sons Sporting” You will find many listings for local news media and you will also see it happened in January, but the 31 of 2005. The AP did a short blurb on it, but all their links are dead. It wasn't until I went into the second page of links that I saw it was a year old story.
WNEP and WFRM both have short writeups, and the AP Article is gone

Yup, last year. They gained entry by running a truck through the front of the store if my memory is correct.

We use sat. com for back-up and have never had a problem or false alarm because of it. We also got Wi-Fi and digital camera system so if I do get the 2 am call, we would know quick if its real.

Rich W.

[rwilson452]

I live about 14 miles from "Ackley and Sons Sporting Goods". They cut the phone lines, parked a truck in front of the door and used a bar on the front door. Smashed the alarm panel, I don't know why they smashed the alarm panel. Ackley's is not in an area that has cell service. I understand a few of the firearms were recovered and a couple of arrest were made. I think the arrest were made on a possesion of stolen property charge.