http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=041103&ID=s1334164
Friday, April 11, 2003
Spokane
Guns, night gear stolen at fairgrounds
Thieves may have had knowledge of vendors, building, security measures
Trinity Hartman
Staff writer
Fourteen semiautomatic handguns as well as night-vision equipment were stolen from a gun show at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center over the weekend.
The theft appeared to have been well-orchestrated by someone with knowledge of the vendors, building and security routine, according to those familiar with the case.
About $8,000 worth of guns and other equipment were stolen.
The thieves lifted coverings on the tables, selected specific guns and replaced the coverings so that it appeared nothing had been taken. In one case, a cord looped through the guns as an added security measure was cut.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office did not find any evidence of a forced entry and it's unclear how the thieves got in and out of the locked building, said sheriff's spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan.
The three victims did not realize the theft had occurred until they came in Saturday morning and removed the covers from their tables.
"It doesn't look like a quick smash and grab," one of the theft victims said.
The man, who asked not to be named for fear of additional theft, had two 45 mm semiautomatic pistols worth a total of about $650 taken. He said he's long worried that night security at the event is inadequate.
The case has been assigned to detectives.
"Our fear is (the guns) are going to be sold on the street to people who don't care if they're stolen," Reagan said.
The weekend Spokane Gun and Old West show was promoted and organized by Lewis and Clark Traders of Lewiston. Owner Paul Snider said he's put on 48 gun shows at the fairgrounds without incident over the past eight years.
"I've never had this happen before. It's an unfortunate situation," Snider said.
The April gun show is usually the largest of the six Snider holds at the fairgrounds each year. Typically, the shows attract between 250 and 400 vendors, Snider said.
Snider guesses somebody was hiding in the building and stole the guns and night-vision equipment at night when the security officers were in a different part of the building.
Snider said he's required to use the fairground's Crowd Management Services, a private security firm. The Sheriff's Office said two security officers were on duty throughout the night, one patrolling outside and the other inside. Fair Director Dolly Hughes said she couldn't confirm the exact number.
The level of security is determined by an agreement between the event promoter and fairground management, Hughes said.
The Sheriff's Office wants more security for future gun shows, Reagan said.
Hughes said the fairgrounds staff will review security in light of the recent theft.
Snider and Hughes said they don't yet know whose insurance companies will compensate the victims.
Snider said at this point he plans to go ahead with another gun show at the fairgrounds in June. Hughes said it's likely new security requirements will be in place before the next show.
two 45 mm semiautomatic pistols paragraph eight
Friday, April 11, 2003
Spokane
Guns, night gear stolen at fairgrounds
Thieves may have had knowledge of vendors, building, security measures
Trinity Hartman
Staff writer
Fourteen semiautomatic handguns as well as night-vision equipment were stolen from a gun show at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center over the weekend.
The theft appeared to have been well-orchestrated by someone with knowledge of the vendors, building and security routine, according to those familiar with the case.
About $8,000 worth of guns and other equipment were stolen.
The thieves lifted coverings on the tables, selected specific guns and replaced the coverings so that it appeared nothing had been taken. In one case, a cord looped through the guns as an added security measure was cut.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office did not find any evidence of a forced entry and it's unclear how the thieves got in and out of the locked building, said sheriff's spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan.
The three victims did not realize the theft had occurred until they came in Saturday morning and removed the covers from their tables.
"It doesn't look like a quick smash and grab," one of the theft victims said.
The man, who asked not to be named for fear of additional theft, had two 45 mm semiautomatic pistols worth a total of about $650 taken. He said he's long worried that night security at the event is inadequate.
The case has been assigned to detectives.
"Our fear is (the guns) are going to be sold on the street to people who don't care if they're stolen," Reagan said.
The weekend Spokane Gun and Old West show was promoted and organized by Lewis and Clark Traders of Lewiston. Owner Paul Snider said he's put on 48 gun shows at the fairgrounds without incident over the past eight years.
"I've never had this happen before. It's an unfortunate situation," Snider said.
The April gun show is usually the largest of the six Snider holds at the fairgrounds each year. Typically, the shows attract between 250 and 400 vendors, Snider said.
Snider guesses somebody was hiding in the building and stole the guns and night-vision equipment at night when the security officers were in a different part of the building.
Snider said he's required to use the fairground's Crowd Management Services, a private security firm. The Sheriff's Office said two security officers were on duty throughout the night, one patrolling outside and the other inside. Fair Director Dolly Hughes said she couldn't confirm the exact number.
The level of security is determined by an agreement between the event promoter and fairground management, Hughes said.
The Sheriff's Office wants more security for future gun shows, Reagan said.
Hughes said the fairgrounds staff will review security in light of the recent theft.
Snider and Hughes said they don't yet know whose insurance companies will compensate the victims.
Snider said at this point he plans to go ahead with another gun show at the fairgrounds in June. Hughes said it's likely new security requirements will be in place before the next show.
two 45 mm semiautomatic pistols paragraph eight
