A late-night break-in at a Norwood gun shop ended with a Kentucky man in handcuffs, after police say he slipped into the store, grabbed multiple firearms and ammunition, and tried to hole up at a nearby hotel. Detectives say they later recovered several of the stolen weapons and are now retracing the suspect's steps from the days leading up to the alleged burglary.
Norwood police say officers rushed to Liberty Ordnance Supply on Access Road around 11:42 p.m. Sunday, after the store owner spotted someone inside on a live surveillance feed, according to CBS Boston. Surveillance video, police said, captured a masked man in a dark hooded sweatshirt and gloves taking three handguns, a long gun and rounds of ammunition from display cases.
When officers arrived, they found the back door had been forced open and a hammer sitting on one of the display cases, as per Boston 25 News. A state trooper and his K‑9 followed a scent trail to the backyard of a nearby home on Neponset Street, where investigators say they found a backpack loaded with the stolen guns, ammunition and a black face mask.
Investigators later identified the suspect as 33-year-old Aaron Woodrum of Lexington, Kentucky, and took him into custody Monday at a nearby Hampton Inn after a caller reported someone refusing to leave, WHDH reports. Woodrum was arraigned in Dedham District Court, and the case remains under investigation.
How store staff helped identify the suspect
Store staff told investigators they recognized the man on camera as someone who had been in the shop several days earlier, noting that his southern accent stood out when he spoke to the security cameras. They also pointed out the distinctive Air Jordan sneakers visible on the footage, details that helped police zero in on a suspect, according to Boston 25 News. Authorities asked anyone with information about the theft or Woodrum's movements to contact the Norwood Police Department at 781-440-5100.
Charges and next steps in court
Prosecutors said Woodrum is charged with breaking and entering a firearm distributor and four counts of larceny of a firearm. The state requested $500,000 bail, but a judge set bond at $100,000, as reported by CBS Boston. Prosecutors told the court they believe additional charges could be filed as detectives continue reviewing his activities in the lead-up to the alleged break-in.
