Rented pickup truck used to steal assault rifles in burglary

A person of interest seen on convenience store surveillance camera footage is sought by Newton County police. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

A person of interest seen on convenience store surveillance camera footage is sought by Newton County police. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

A man seen on convenience store surveillance footage is being sought by Covington police in connection to a pawn shop robbery.

A rented U-haul pickup truck was used to crash into a pawn shop and steal weapons such as AR-15 assault rifles, Channel 2 Action News reported.

It was the second time in as many months the Emergency Pawn store on Highway 278 in Covington had been targeted by thieves.

Store manager Kaitlyn Burkett told the news station the men smashed through the door by backing in with the rented truck.

They then grabbed all the guns off one wall before jumping the counter and running out, Burkett said.

Police chased the truck briefly, but the passengers drove into a ditch and ran off, Covington police spokesman Capt. Craig Treadwell told Channel 2.

The officer found AR-15s still in the truck bed and another handgun on the passenger seat, Treadwell said.

A cookie receipt from the store led police to the surveillance footage so the may pictured is considered a person of interest by police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000.