11-02-2025
Group attempts break-in at local gun shop
MERCER CO., Pa. (WKBN) — Pennsylvania troopers are investigating an attempted break-in at a Mercer County gun shop Sunday.
The owner checked on the building after church and was amazed when he saw what the security cameras had recorded.
Security cameras recorded a group of five people trying to get into the New Vernon Township business for 45 minutes at 5 a.m. Sunday.
The signs of an attempted break-in at Griffin Arms were broken glass and a lock punched out with part of it on the ground.
'These people obviously don't have any regard for people's livelihoods, or, you know, they're criminals, right?' Owner Joshua Clark said.
Clark is the owner of Griffin Arms. He noticed the damage on a routine check of the building on Sunday, a day it's closed. Clark built the place so no one could get in, feeling it was his responsibility as a Federal Firearms Licensee.
'Like, I don't want my people buying illegal guns and I don't want to have people breaking it in and making them illegal by putting them out on the street. You know what I mean?' Clark said.
Last April, someone drove a truck into another Mercer County gun shop to get 20 automatic rifles. Last month, 23 handguns were taken from a Beaver Township store.
Clark says these five left behind blood, hair and other items that PSP collected to use and identify them.
'They responded quickly. You know, the detectives came out, the troopers came out, and the forensic team came out and got a lot of data and evidence to place all these people.
These types of robberies are attempted to try and get guns, ammo, and cash fast. Clark doesn't keep cash on site. He warns any other potential thieves that the firearms licensee community is tight.
'Young guys and girls… stop, you know, before you get hurt. You know, some — we're gonna not take this lightly. So you mess with the wrong people, for sure.,' Clark said.
Clark has owned Griffin Arms for 10 years. He says this was the first time anyone tried breaking in.
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