Firearms are stolen from store

Guns stolen, store owner offers reward

The owner of a Granville village business is offering a reward for information after a break-in on Sept. 24 at Whitney’s Archery on Church Street.
Granville police said they were withholding information regarding specifics on the case but said “several firearms” were taken from the 2 Church St. address, which is the home of the archery and taxidermy business owned by Dennis Whitney.
Hunting rifles are among the items for sale at the shop specializing in archery supplies.
A tenant who noticed something amiss just before 7 a.m. called police to the scene reporting broken glass near the front door of the store.
Police Chief Ernie Bassett Jr. responded to the store and entered, finding the outside front door’s glass had been broken and the interior door also smashed out.
After securing the scene Bassett spoke with Whitney, who verified firearms had been taken from the store.
Police are currently looking for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious in the early morning hours of Sept. 24. 
“Our investigation is ongoing; we’re actively working on that as we speak,” Bassett said Monday. Any suspects identified face possible felony charges including third-degree burglary and grand larceny.
The value of the firearms is estimated to exceed $3,000.
Granville Police Sgt. David Williams said while it is always a good idea to lock up your residence or vehicle, police were not advising additional caution as the break-in did not appear to be random.
“This is not the Granville of the ’60s and ’70s so while we advise everyone to lock their doors, we believe this is a targeted burglary; they were looking for guns and they got guns,” Williams said. 
On Monday Whitney said he is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the stolen firearms or the conviction of the suspect or suspects responsible for the break-in.
Anyone who thinks they might have seen something relating to the burglary or with information regarding suspects are asked to call Granville police at 642-1414.