Weapons and ammo stolen after truck crashes into gun store

ZEPHYRHILLS (FOX 13) - A group of thieves leave a trail of destruction in Pasco County. First, they crashed into a gun shop. Then, they looted it. Finally, they ditched the truck. But not before police say they set it on fire.

All of this happened Sunday morning around 2:15 at Sunshine State Armory in Zephyrhills. Surveillance video looks like something straight out of movie: They were in and out in a matter of 30 seconds

Zephyrhills police say one person did the driving and three others did the smashing and grabbing.  

Though they were gone before police arrived, it wasn't long before their blue Toyota Tacoma was recovered a mile away at 6th Avenue and Airport Road. It had been set on fire and abandoned.

Firefighters had to stand back.

"I believe there was some ammunition left inside the vehicle," said Derek Brewer, public information officer for the Zephyrhills Police Department. "They had concerns about explosives and stuff so they didn't actually try to extinguish it. They just let it burn."

That's not the only crime that occurred. Investigators determined the truck had been previously stolen in Pinellas County.

While police don't know how many guns the group got away with or what type, they want to get them off the street quickly.

"Anytime we get guns and ammunition out on the street, it's a risk for us, risk for the public and that's a concern for us," said Brewer.

"That's scary when you see something like that," offered Ed Hinchey, who works next-door at Direct Auto and Life Insurance.

Their offices were flooded after the truck backed into a hot water heater.

Hinchey said that this kind of crime is not something he's accustomed to in this area.

"This is Zephyrhills, ma'am," Hinchey said. "This isn't downtown Miami. This isn't Tampa. This is Zephyrhills. God's waiting room, ma'am. To have something like this occur, that shakes people up."

If you know who was behind this, call the Zephyrhills police at (813) 780-0050. They've teamed up with the ATF, which is now offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to arrests.