A West Memphis woman says two high-dollar rifles disappeared in a matter of seconds after an equipment case slid out of the back of her SUV during a Sunday turn. Home door-cam footage appears to show someone scoop up the case and drive off.
Amanda Ellison filed a report with West Memphis police, telling officers the case, which also held fishing gear, somehow came open as she turned from Center Street onto North Avalon Street on May 24. She said the case held two rifles, which she described as an AK-47 and an AR-15, and that there were no rounds inside. As of the latest report, the case had not been turned in to authorities, according to WREG.
Ellison told WREG, "I'm hoping that they do what's right, but I don't expect to get them back because of knowing where we live and the city that we live in." She also told the station the guns were expensive and that she is worried they could end up in criminal hands.
Door-cam Footage And The Scene
The short clip described by the owner shows a person picking up the hard case and loading it into a vehicle before driving away. Police are reviewing any available video and tips tied to the incident. No arrests have been announced and investigators have not named any suspects.
Why Stolen Guns Matter
Firearms taken from vehicles are a major pipeline into illegal markets, according to federal analysis and peer-reviewed research. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment looks at thefts and trafficking patterns, and a national study published in Injury Epidemiology found that many stolen firearms are never recovered. ATF's NFCTA and the Injury Epidemiology analysis outline those trends.
Reporting And Next Steps
Federal rules require licensed gun dealers to report thefts to authorities, while state reporting laws for private owners vary. Gun safety advocates urge owners to report lost or stolen firearms quickly. Preserving video, noting vehicle descriptions, and filing a police report can improve the odds that a missing weapon is traced and recovered. Giffords offers more detail on reporting and owner responsibilities.
Ellison has filed a report and said she is hoping video or tips will lead to a recovery. Anyone with information can contact West Memphis police, according to WREG, or submit tips through local law enforcement channels.
