TOMAHAWK - Yesterday we reported on a break-in at Statton’s General store in Tomahawk where dozens of guns were stolen.

Today the Statton's spent hours cleaning up glass, and counting inventory- while the Lincoln county Sheriff's office looks for more leads.

“We take every lead that we possibly can,” said Lieutenant Mark Gartmann, with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. “We also go back and look at video of individuals going in and out to determine whether or not this place was ‘cased’ per se.”

The thieves that broke into Statton's General store stole thousands of dollars’ worth of guns- particularly hand guns.

Deputies think the thieves were probably targeting high ticket items to sell.

"They're looking for a quick dollar, they're looking for money, they're not looking to go out and shoot a bunch of people, they're mainly grabbing this because it's of value, and they know they can get rid of it in a hurry, and they know they can get money in a hurry," said Gartmann.

Statton said most of the crime was caught on his surveillance cameras. That video is on its way to the state crime lab to be enhanced.

In the meantime, the sheriff's office is working to find the suspects, and the guns.

"When it involves firearms we make sure to get serial numbers so that we can get the word out to the local authorities so they can look at pawn shops," said Gartmann.

And Dick Statton is working to get his shop back together and open to customers.
"It's a terrible feeling when you walk in and see your windows have been smashed out... We've got new glass going in today, we've repaired what we could on the windows so that's cleaned up … Of course we have to have a complete record of every firearm that's missing," he said.

Statton said he must carefully record his inventory and report the stolen goods to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The theft of firearms is a federal offense, and the perpetrators could ultimately face federal charges.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is asking for your help to solve this crime. If you have any information, they urge you to call their office or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous.

Story By: Kailey Burton