Guns stolen; person of interest sought

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - Federal agents have released photos of a man they want to talk to about the theft of numerous firearms from a Rio Rancho gun store.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the break-in.

The reward is being offered because "of the danger to the public that the firearms represent." accroding to a statement from ATF released Friday.

( Update Aug. 1 :  Rio Rancho police have interviewed the "person of interest" photographed in the gun store and determined he is not a suspect in the burglary.)

Whoever stole the weapons apparently tripped an alarm around 3 a.m. Wednesday at the Rio Rancho Armory, 2006 Southern Blvd.

While ATF said numerous weapons were stolen, agents seemed most concerned about four rifles, two with short barrels, one of those fully automatic and all with suppressors, which reduce the sound when the weapon is fired.

Rio Rancho police detectives and ATF agents continue to investigate the burglary.

Anyone with information on the break-in or the person of interest can contact the Rio Rancho Police Department at (505) 891-7226, Detective J. Garcia at (505) 891-5398 or ATF at (505) 346-6914.