Car left behind in store robbery

By Audrey Carpenter

The Leesburg Police Department continues to investigate an overnight burglary at Loudoun Guns (302 Industrial Court SE, #F, Leesburg) that occurred Jan 4.

Officers initially responded to the area at shortly before 4 a.m. for a report of a loud noise, believed to be a vehicle striking a building. Once on scene, they observed that a 4-door Kia Sedan had crashed through the front doors of the business and was lodged in the building.

After the vehicle crashed into the building, four masked individuals entered the building and stole multiple long guns. The four suspects then fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival in a second car waiting in the parking lot and drove off.

The car used to gain entrance to the store was left behind still stuck in the building. Police determined the vehicle was reported stolen out of another jurisdiction prior to the burglary occurring.

Officers cleared the building, not locating anyone inside. The Blue Ridge Leader learned that this is the third time since the store opened that it has been robbed.

In May 2023, the restaurant next door to the gun shop, Mama Lucci’s, was also robbed when teenagers broke into the restaurant in the middle of the night and stole money from three cash registers, Owner Carolina Lucci said.

The teens were caught and prosecuted. The business no longer keeps any money in its registers when closed.

Police gathered surveillance video from Loudoun Guns and several other adjoining businesses. Loudoun Gun did not want to be interviewed when approached for comment. It spent the day cleaning up the store and installing wood around the broken frame and door area of its building.

“The store is like a candy shop for men. It’s huge inside and any kind of gun you could want you will find there,” said a nearby store owner.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Detective Kadric at 703-771-4500 or at mkadric@leesburgva.gov.

If you wish to remain anonymous, please call the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent using TIPSUBMIT via text. Text 274637 (CRIMES) and begin your message with LPDTIP.