Posted on 07/07/2008 7:55:32 PM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) -- A frustrated gun shop owner in Ottawa County has been robbed again - the third time in three years.
On the evening of the Fourth of July, or sometime the next morning, Felix's Gun Shop in Robinson Township was broken into, say authorities. Eighty-two guns were stolen - including handguns, antiques, military style rifles, and pellet guns.
On the evening of the Fourth of July, or sometime the next morning, Felix's Gun Shop in Robinson Township was broken into, say authorities. Eighty-two guns were stolen - including handguns, antiques, military style rifles, and pellet guns.
Felix Pytlinske, the business' owner, has been selling guns for more than 40 years. Now, he is rethinking things.
"The spot is more secure than the average bank has gotten. But they break into banks all the time, too," Pytlinske.
The previous crime at the shop occurred in August 2007 when 34 guns were stolen. Prior to that, 36 guns were taken in April 2006.
Five Ottawa County teenagers were arrested for last year's burglary, and were sentenced to one-year probation and supposedly forced to pay restitution fees.
"Got $37.50 out of those $31,000 of restitution," added Pytlinske.
As for the 2006 burglary, Pytlinske said police discovered about 12 of his guns in drug busts in Detroit and Saginaw but he never got any back.
No surveillance cameras recorded the break-ins, but Pytlinske said investigators have an idea how they occurred but are not sharing that information.
Now Pytlinske is wondering if being in the gun business is worth it anymore.
"I'll spend this week sitting here scratching my head and probably a few other assorted parts and figure out what I'm going to do," he said.
Anyone who may have seen anything during these crimes is asked to call the State police post in Grand Haven.
He doesn’t have an alarm system or video cameras?
Not excusing the thieves in the slightest, but after being robbed a couple of times...
Correction: Gun shop was burgled. Most of the time when a gun shop is robbed there’s a happy ending with the robbers being shot.
Three times in three years? Something isn’t right there. I rarely hear of gun stores broken into. If a crook broke into the gun store I frequent, he’ll be lucky to leave alive.
It'll have something to do with these 'teens'. Human nature is such that it is quite common to return to the same 'watering hole'.
Guy should find another business. If you're going to deal in firearms. you ought to make a better effort than this to safeguard them.
insurance scam?
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
"The spot is more secure than the average bank has gotten. But they break into banks all the time, too," Pytlinske.
I disagree with Felix on this. Bank break-ins, "heists," are pretty damn rare outside of cinema.
Exactly, but these are the same reporters who can’t tell the difference between a magazine and a clip, or a revolver or pistol, or semi-automatic or full auto.
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