Police investigating break in at gun store

Amherst Police Department is investigating a break in at the Amherst Armory gun store, 1927 Cooper Foster Park Road Suite B.

Around 3:09 a.m., July 11, the store’s security cameras picked up two masked individuals inspecting the store, police said.

Armed with a pair of gloves between them and a few rocks, two people can be seeing throwing rocks at the window and glass door of the property.

“We received an alarm from the location that morning, and when we arrived, we found the side glass window being broken,” said Amherst Police Department Chief Mike Cawthon. “We are actively investigating the break-in and are following leads.”

After breaking one of the windows near the door, the two can be seen squeezing through the broken glass and making their way inside, Cawthon said.

John Horn, owner of Amherst Armory, was pleased the culprits didn’t get away with any of the firearms.

“After they broke my outside door and window, they got through the next door in the lobby area, but didn’t make it any farther,” Horn said. “I am just glad they didn’t get to anything, because that’s a life ending charge and I don’t want to see that.”

The individuals likely were unfamiliar with the storefront and were not aware of the steel reinforced door to the actual safe where the guns are held, he said.

“I think it was just two dumb teenagers looking for a crime of opportunity,” Horn said.

The two suspects have not been identified, but were seen on some of the store’s surrounding cameras around same time, police said.

Estimated damages to the glass and repairs is $1,500, according to Horn.

Amherst Armory opened in 2020 with a specialized focus on providing quality firearms, ammunition, suppressors and more to Lorain County and the surrounding region.

“We keep a stock of high quality guns on site in our protected safe-like store, as well as have a high class online store that provides real-time access to the latest guns available,” Horn said.

The store also is a Class III FFL dealer providing

silencers and suppressors as well as meeting all other needs for the avid collector or beginner, he said.

The armory is open from 5-7 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m., Thursdays, and from noon to 2 p.m., Fridays.

Amherst police are asking anyone with information on the break in to call 440-988-2625.

LAUREN HOFFMAN — THE MORNING JOURNAL The storefront currently has both the window broken and the doors boarded up. Estimated damages to the class are around $1,500.

SUBMITTED PHOTO A still from the security camera footage shows the two individuals who were masked and covering their faces. One individual was wearing a True Religion hoodie.