A man in Thornton walked into a store and ran out with a rifle, police said in a news release.
Thornton police say they were first called Tuesday at 11:35 a.m. to Sportsman’s Warehouse on 84th Avenue on a report of an attempted theft of a shotgun.
According to a news release, witnesses told police a man walked into the store and went behind the gun counter, grabbed a shotgun and tried to run out of the store. Employees chased the man, who dropped the gun and ran away.
Less than 20 minutes later, police were called to Gander Mountain on 9923 N. Grant St.
Witnesses there told police a man entered the store, went behind the counter, grabbed a rifle and ran out of the store.
The stolen rifle was a camouflaged Bushmaster ACR .223 caliber.
Police believe the suspect might be associated with a white, four-door sedan with dark tinted windows.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man with neck tattoos.
Anyone with information about the man or the case is asked to call Metro Area Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or the Thornton Police tip line at 720-977-5069.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or @yeseniarobles
