Eight assault rifles stolen from Wendell gun store; ensuing chase along I-440 ends in crash

Investigators told WRAL News the person stole eight guns and multiple law enforcement agencies got involved in the chase.

Posted 9:09 a.m. Jul 13 — Updated 8:37 p.m. Jul 13

Chelsea Donovan

, WRAL reporter

WENDELL, N.C. — A robbery at a Wendell gun store led to a chase down I-440 and a crash at the I-40 split on Thursday morning.

Investigators told WRAL News the person stole eight guns and multiple law enforcement agencies got involved in the chase.

Gun shops are no strangers to break-ins, but the one that happened at 3 a.m. on Thursday was a bit unusual.

The owner at Perry's Gun Shop said they loaded out the guns through an opening in a broken glass door and one of the thieves crawled through before making a run for it.

Multi-county police chase ends in crash at I-40/I-440 split

"This was not like any we have had previously," said owner Hannah Hopkins.

"Typically that is where they try to get in but it's high security laminated glass, bars on inside but the individual who came in appeared to be rather small," Hopkins said.

The thieves broke in the glass door at the downtown Wendell business and quickly nabbed eight assault rifles and about a half-dozen boxes of ammo before hitting the road.

"Wendell police did catch them as they were leaving the store," Hopkins said. "That’s what started the chase."

The police department is just feet away from Perry's, so officers were quick to catch up to the suspects, but not before they took them on a high-speed chase through Johnston and Wake counties, ending at the I-40/I-440 split.

One juvenile suspect was taken into custody and the owners at Perry's said seven of their eight guns were recovered near the traffic stop.

The ATF and local authorities are now working to investigate this crime.

There is no word from Wendell police on the other suspects involved.

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