‘Large quantities’ of 9mm bullets stolen from shipping containers near RDU, Wilmington

Three freight line shipping containers were robbed of Winchester ammunition in in early September, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The bureau said it is searching for two vehicles in connection with the thefts at the freight stations in Morrisville, Kernersville and Wilmington.

One of the vehicles is reportedly a gray or silver four-door car and the other is a blue, light gray or silver SUV, according to ATF.

Over 24 hours, “large quantities” of Winchester 9mm ammunition was stolen from the three locations on Sept. 5-6, said Corey Ray, an ATF spokesperson.

ATF did not specify how much ammunition was stolen but sent out an alert this week to all federal firearms licensees including pawn shops and businesses that buy and sell guns to notify them of the incidents.

The alert was also meant to warn the dealers to look for any suspicious activity that could be related to the thefts, Ray said.

ATF said in the alert that whoever stole the ammunition could be trying to sell it to the licensees and businesses.

The ammunition is the most common type of bullet for handguns, according to American Gun Facts.

The thefts

The first theft occurred Sept, 5 at a freight line shipping station in Morrisville near Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Ray said.

On Sept. 6, the stations in Kernersville and Wilmington were hit, Ray said.

Anyone who encounters any suspicious activity that might be related to the thefts can call the local ATF field office.