Columbus police and federal officials are investigating the theft of multiple firearms from a Columbus gun store.
Police were called to Watson Chambers Defense Institute, 1710 17th St., at 4:30 a.m. Thursday about an alarm, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
When they arrived, officers saw that the glass on the front door of the business was broken.
Investigators reviewed the store’s security cameras and determined two individuals were in the store for a very short time and stole multiple firearms that were on display.
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Surveillance video released by police shows the two individuals breaking through the business’ glass front door and running toward the gun area, grabbing numerous handguns off a display rack within less than a minute.
The video released by police then shows the two individuals, who were wearing shorts and T-shirts, sprinting back to exit through the front door.
Both suspects were white males who were wearing gloves and had their faces covered, Harris said.
The guns that were taken did not appear to be secured or locked into the display, the video shows. The two suspects took only as many weapons as they could carry and left others on the display, the video shows.
Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also investigating the theft and were at the store with Columbus police Thursday morning.
An investigation is continuing and police have not released the value of the guns that were stolen.
Watson Chambers Defense Institute offers firearms training and services and self-defense training, and is owned by Chadwick Boyd Chambers, who is listed as CEO, and Aaron Watson, company president, according to state records.
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Anyone with tips or information about this incident may report information anonymously to police by calling 812-376-2600.
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To view surveillance video of the incident at Watson Chambers Defense Institute, visit therepublic.com.
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