Island Park man offers $1,000 reward for return of stolen rifles
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ISLAND PARK — A seasonal Island Park resident is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of two custom-made rifles, a rifle bag and 18 magazines reported missing from his property near Henry’s Lake last week.
José Ruiz, who lives in Island Park for about six months of the year, said the firearms were normally stored inside his cabin but had been moved to the garage while an Ashton-based restoration company completed repairs to the property.
Ruiz said a photograph provided by the restoration company shows the rifles were still at the residence at approximately 9:30 a.m. on the day they were later reported missing. He subsequently discovered the rifles were gone.
“At least 10 of the magazines were loaded when they were last accounted for,” he said.
Law enforcement was contacted. Fremont County Sheriff Bart Quayle confirmed to EastIdahoNews.com that the department is actively working on the case. The matter has also been referred to a detective.
At this time, law enforcement has not publicly identified or charged anyone with taking the firearms, and responsibility for their disappearance has not been established.
“My concern is that these highly powered assault rifles with ammunition are missing. This is serious. This is a public safety concern,” Ruiz said. “I don’t want them to fall in the wrong hands after the horrible incidents that have occurred, such as the In-N-Out shooting in Twin Falls.”
Ruiz hopes the $1,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the firearms will encourage someone with information to come forward.
“One of the missing rifles is an AR-15 chamber in 5.56 and the other is an LR-308 chamber in .308. Both are custom made and recognizable. Ruiz said. “Hopefully, with the help of the community, we can recover them.”
Since the rifles are custom made, they are unregistered and do not have a serial number.
In a separate incident a rifle was also stolen during a burglary at Ward’s ACE & Country Store in Malad early Monday morning. However, there is currently no indication that the two incidents are connected.
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“If you see these rifles or have any knowledge of them, including anyone attempting to sell them, please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office immediately,” Ruiz said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 624-4482.