Would-be burglars back truck into business, get stuck

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In video given to Channel 9 you could see suspects drive a large SUV right into JJ Aim Right Gun Shop in Fort Mill.

One suspect jumped out of the vehicle, headed for a glass case and stole more than half a dozen handguns.

The video was captured early Monday morning.  Major Bryan Zachary said he was investigating whether the case was related to a similar case around 2:00 a.m. Tuesday in Charlotte.

"The methods appear to be so similar and the way they approached the building,” he said.

Police said the would-be burglars in that case drove a truck into a Cash America pawn shop on Albemarle Road.  The store is known for selling firearms.

Witnesses said they saw the suspects desperately trying to free the truck before they took off running.  Channel 9 was told nothing was stolen.

"You would never think a car would come crash into a store, it's really scary,” said neighbor Shana Henriques.

Neighbors and business owners were rattled.

Last month Channel 9 told you about a similar unsolved case on South Boulevard.

Tuesday a spokesperson for ATF said the agency has poured nearly $160,000 into rewards trying to solve cases all over the Carolinas.  They said there have been 20 similar cases since October of 2015.

"From what we've seen it's become a national crime trend and we do not know why,” said Gerod King.

He said many of the cases could be connected to larger crime networks even gangs.

If you have information on recent cases call police in your area.

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