Cornelius police say a crew of four slipped into a local gun shop in the middle of the night, grabbed four shotguns and were gone in about 30 seconds.
The break-in happened just after 2 a.m. Tuesday at Harrison Precision on Old Statesville Road. Officers say four males rushed into the store, grabbed older-model shotguns and then took off in a silver Hyundai Sonata. Investigators later released still images of the suspects and the getaway car and are asking anyone who recognizes them to speak up.
What investigators say
According to WBTV, the group got into an interior room of the shop, quickly pulled four older-model shotguns and bolted, possibly after a motion-activated light flipped on. Investigators told the station they believe two suspects wore gloves while the other two appeared to avoid touching anything. The images Cornelius police shared with the public are included in the station’s report.
Shop details
Harrison Precision’s website lists the business at 18535 Old Statesville Rd., Suite G, in Cornelius and promotes gunsmithing services, firearms sales and training courses. The shop operates as both a retail store and a service hub for firearms and related classes, according to Harrison Precision.
Suspect vehicle
Police say the suspects left in a silver Hyundai Sonata, believed to be from model years 2011-2014. The car was seen driving past Bailey Road Park shortly after the break-in. Investigators released surveillance photos of the vehicle along with the suspect images, and WBTV published those photos with its coverage.
Not the first time
This is not the first late-night gun shop burglary in Cornelius. In September 2024, two juveniles admitted to taking multiple firearms during an overnight break-in at The Range at Lake Norman. In the wake of that case, area gun shop owners said they had stepped up security with bars, more cameras and concrete barriers, WSOC reported. Local business owners have also warned that stolen firearms can move quickly into illegal markets, fueling calls for stronger protections at gun dealers.
How to help
Anyone with information about Tuesday’s break-in is asked to contact the Cornelius Police Department. The town’s public pages list municipal contacts, according to the Town of Cornelius. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867, according to North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers.
