Sodus, N.Y. – What started as a hobby evolved into a 20 year business for gun shop owner Tom Putnam who said this was the first time his store had ever been burglarized. There’s never even been an attempt.
Tom’s Guns & Ammo is on a quiet road in Sodus tucked away in the hills next to his home. It’s a location he thought was fairly secure.
On Saturday morning, Putnam went into his store to find 62 handguns had been stolen.
“This wasn't random,” said Putnam. “Somebody had to know the layout.”
The burglars broke through the side window that's now boarded up. Putnam says it took effort to get through because the window was made of bullet-proof glass
“What they did is, they finally pried around the film,” said Putnam.
Once inside, Putnam says they were quick and took roughly $28,000 worth of handguns. But, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office says the guns could be worth twice that on the street and could possibly later be used in other crimes.
“I'm very concerned about where they could be or where they might be,” said Putnam.
Putnam said he may have to close his shop for good.
“I have to look and see if I'll stay in business,” said Putnam. “Just the idea of taking a hit like that in one time...whether it's worth staying in business.”
Putnam does have a security system in the store, but says if he reopens he will improve it by making the store a vault. The ATF and Wayne County Sheriff's Office are investigating the burglary.
