Smash & grab: Hoffman's Guns, CT

[2bigfeet]

http://www.wtnh.com/global/story.asp?s=7357356

Dump truck plows into Newington gun store - by Jodi Latina

Posted Nov. 14, 2007
Updated 7:03 AM

Newington (WTNH) Police are investigating a possible smash and grab at a Newington gun store.

Troopers say a truck plowed backwards into the front of the Hoffman's Gun Center at 2585 Berlin Turnpike around 3:00 a.m.. Iron bars on the windows didn't stop the truck from going all the way inside the building.

"I saw the cops pulling up and in essence (police officers) were coming up with guns drawn, and I see this truck sticking out of the building," said Jerry Maldanado, who was on his way to work when it happened.

It is unclear what was stolen, but officers say the store is known for its extensive collection of guns and ammunition.

The truck, which has now been removed from the store, belongs to New Britain paving company, but it's unclear whether it was stolen or how it's linked to the robbers.

Newington, Berlin, Hartford and state police have been on the scene. A Hartford police K-9 team is also scouring the area.

The owner of the store is also there, helping police figure out what is missing.

According to its web site, the store has been a family run business for more than 85 years. They sell new and used guns and rifles, including military style rifles. They also sell knives, accessories, and offer pistol permit classes.

There are no reports of injuries.

 

[30 cal slob]

Ouch. Guess the guy who did it got fed up with the pistol permit wait time. Or he got fed up with Hoffman's high prices.

Well, the Dunkin Donuts next door is gonna get a LOT busier now.

 

[Owen]

Holy Cow!

I got my first gun there, when I was 9. It was a Marlin 15Y. At the time they were down the street about half a mile, but that location burned.

It is (was?) a really fantastic store.

 

[romma]

pretty brazen!

 

[jlpskydive]

That is at least the thrid time I have heard of gun store getting robbed this week!!!! What's up???

 

[30 cal slob]

hmmm.

maybe it was the guys at nearby newington gun exchange. take out the competition.

seriously, i wonder what was taken. all the EBR's were waaay in the back on the wall of hoffman's. IIRC, most of the new handguns are tucked away in display cases along the sides.

 

[Claude Clay]

timing aint so good either.....in the spring they are planning to move across the street to the 84 building and are adding indoor 75 foot rental lanes.
perhaps they will in cooperate some vehicle control devices??

 

[mp510]

This isn't the first time Hoffmans has been robbed either. A few years ago, some high school or college kid broke in to try and tried to score some loot- only the cops were able to show up while he was still in the store.

 

[Mainsail]

Hey, that's my home town!

 

[romma]

all the EBR's were waaay in the back on the wall of hoffman's. IIRC, most of the new handguns are tucked away in display cases along the sides.

So 30Cal,,, was it a long walk home with your loot at 3AM?? LOL

 

[30 cal slob]

they didn't have anything there that i don't already have. *yawn*

 

[Hoppy590]

damn i was gunna take a trip down there next weekend. hope they are open by then. i used to drive by all the time on my trips to the Krispy Kreme that used to be down the road, but i was with non gunnys so never stoped.

now the Krispy Kremes gone, and Hoffmans got robed. thats it, theres no hope for that area. take off and nuke the site from orbit.

 

[romma]

they didn't have anything there that i don't already have.

That's funny!! But the big travesty in all this is:

now the Krispy Kremes gone

All the hoopla this artery clogging shop of horrors created is out of business at this location? 5 years ago when it opened, people were driving from 75 miles away to get their donughts!

 

[KMBRTAC45]

Original quote by: Romma
All the hoopla this artery clogging shop of horrors created is out of busuness at this location? 5 years ago when it opened, people were driving from 75 miles away to get their donughts!

Good riddence. I couldn't stand their doughnuts any way. Waaaayyy to sweet.

 

[Devonai]

I hope they're not missing too much... they always seemed like good folks.

 

[Cougfan2]

What caliber for Krispy Kremes.

 

[romma]

What caliber for Krispy Kremes

You need hollow points for the donut holes...

 

[30 cal slob]

hope it wasn't an insurance scam.

such is not unprecedented in the nutmeg state.

 

[mp510]

They got a suspect in custody: www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-newgunstore-1115,0,4092366.story

 

[2bigfeet]

They got a suspect in custody: http://www.courant.com/news/custom/t...,4092366.story

That was quick. Anyone know if they're back open yet?

 

[Hoppy590]

All the hoopla this artery clogging shop of horrors created is out of business at this location? 5 years ago when it opened, people were driving from 75 miles away to get their donughts!

i drove 45 miles to get there on a number of ocassions they were GOOD donuts. i can get them at gas stations out here, but its just not the same as when they are hot off the line

hopefuly hoffmans reopens soon. its sad that some jerk has to destroy the front of the store and steal stuff from a hard working place like that

 

[JColdIron]

Man! Dumptrucks obviously were not thought of in their defence plan.

Time for some bollards- bury them deep

 

[romma]

Ahem, I have been known to visit a donut shop or too Artery clogging be damned! But I try to stay away....

 

[2bigfeet]

Time for some bollards- bury them deep

I'm betting Jersey Barriers will be in place soon.

 

[JohnL2]

Sheesh, that guy has had some of the worst luck. Hope he was insured.