In a quiet pre-dawn stretch in Rifle, a group of thieves turned Timberline Sporting Goods into their personal smash-and-grab target, shattering the shop's front window and making off with four handguns, according to authorities.
Officers responding to the break-in at the longtime outfitter near East 26th Street and Highway 13 found clear signs of a burglary and quickly started searching the area. As of the initial investigation, no arrests had been announced, and police said they were canvassing nearby businesses and residents in hopes that someone saw or recorded something helpful.
Rifle police say someone broke the glass at the firearms and outdoor-gear shop and that officers discovered the burglary and the missing guns during their response. Glenwood Springs police K-9 Tyr and the Garfield County Sheriff's Office helped with the search and evidence collection. Investigators asked people who live or work nearby to pull any doorbell or security video from roughly 4:45 a.m. to 6 a.m. and report anything that looks off, according to KDVR.
Where It Happened
Timberline Sporting Goods is a long-running Rifle outfitter located close to East 26th Street and Highway 13; business listings put the address at 161 E. 26th St. The shop sells firearms along with hunting and outdoor gear, so losing four handguns is no small thing for the owner or regulars in the neighborhood. The store's location and contact information are listed on HuntersDomain.
How to Help Investigators
Police are urging neighbors and nearby businesses to hang onto any surveillance footage from those early-morning hours and to reach out if it shows suspicious vehicles, people, or activity. As reported by KDVR, investigators are especially interested in video from around 4:45 to 6 a.m. The Rifle Police Department page lists the department's nonemergency phone number and media contacts. Detective Sgt. Dewey Ryan can be reached through that nonemergency line.
Legal Implications
Under Colorado law, theft of a firearm is treated as a felony. House Bill 25-1062 reclassified theft of a firearm as a Class 6 felony regardless of the weapon's value, increasing the potential criminal exposure in cases like this. That means anyone ultimately charged in connection with the stolen handguns could face felony counts, although specific charges would depend on what investigators uncover and how prosecutors decide to proceed, according to House Bill 25-1062.
Rifle police say the investigation remains active, and they are asking anyone with information to contact the department or Detective Sgt. Dewey Ryan using the numbers listed on the city's police page. Updates and news releases are being posted on the same site.
