12 semi-automatic guns stolen in Calgary smash-and-grab robbery

A masked thief broke into a sporting goods store early Tuesday morning and stole a dozen semi-automatic weapons, police say.

The man used a crowbar to smash the front window of Cabela's on 64th Avenue northeast at about 4:40 a.m., according to the store's video surveillance cameras, which recorded the break-in.

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"Once inside the store, the suspect went directly to four glass display cases that housed handguns and long guns," police said in a release.

In less than four minutes, the man had left the store with three restricted rifles and nine handguns, including a 22-calibre Smith & Wesson semi-automatic long gun, several 9-mm Beretta semi-automatics and a.45-calibre Glock pistol.

A store manager was inside in a back room during the robbery and did not hear anything, police say.

The stolen guns are worth more than $10,000.

The suspect was wearing a black balaclava, blue jeans, black running shoes and a grey hoodie with blue long sleeves. It had the logo "GSRD." He was carrying a red and white Tommy Hilfiger duffle bag.

"The Calgary Police Service will work collaboratively with The Canadian Firearms Centre and the Chief Firearms Officer to ensure that Cabela's firearms were stored in accordance with the Firearms Act," police said.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call police or contact Crime Stoppers.

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