Police and federal agents are investigating break-ins at two Shenango Valley gun dealers where thieves stole several guns, including AR-15 assault-style rifles.

First Responders were called to downtown Mercer at 5:30 a.m. Monday after a car crashed through the display window of Seconds Count Firearms at the corner of North Diamond Street and North Pitt Street.

Police say three male suspects pulled up to the store around 5:15 a.m., waited several minutes and then crashed through the window.

21 News crews on scene observed one of the glass windows of the building has fallen down completely shortly after noon.

Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker tells 21 News that video surveillance shows five masked suspects removing ten AR-15 rifles from the store before fleeing. Acker says the thieves did not get any ammunition.

Mercer Police Chief Robert Davis tells 21 News he believes the suspects' motive is to sell these guns on the black market.

The break-in comes approximately 24 hours after a burglary at Dukes Sport Shop on New Butler Road, Shenango Township, Lawrence County.  Township police say several suspects went through the front door and left with an assortment of firearms.   An inventory is being conducted to determine how many weapons and what type, say police.

At this time it is unclear if these two break-ins are connected in any way.

Authorities are working to identify the suspects.

Mercer Police are urging anyone with information to call the department's non-emergency phone number at (724)662-6110

 

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