NORWOOD, MA — A Kentucky man has been arrested in connection with a commercial break-in involving the theft of firearms from a Norwood business.
On Sunday, at approximately 11:42 p.m., Norwood Police responded to Liberty Ordnance Supply, at 100 Access Road, for a report of a breaking and entering in progress.
The business owner was actively monitoring surveillance cameras and reported observing an individual inside the store removing firearms and ammunition.
Surveillance video showed a suspect wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, mask and gloves taking firearms from display cases.
Responding officers from both the 4 p.m. to midnight and overnight shifts immediately established a perimeter around the area and requested additional assistance.
Multiple Massachusetts State Police personnel and K-9 teams from the State Police, Trooper Timothy Malo and K-9 Ramon, and Hingham Police Department, Officer Ryan Ross and K-9 Gary, responded to assist with the search.
Initial responding officers observed damage to the building consistent with forced entry.
Officers cleared the building and conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area.
Trooper Malo and K-9 Ramon, working alongside Norwood officers, tracked to the backyard of a residence on Neponset Street, where investigators recovered stolen firearms and clothing believed to have been worn by the suspect during the break-in.
Through investigative efforts, including surveillance review, evidence collection and follow-up investigation by Norwood Police Detective Ryan Sinclair and responding officers, investigators identified the suspect as Aaron Woodrum, 33, of Kentucky.
Investigators determined Woodrum had visited the store several days before the break-in.
On Monday morning, officers responded to a local hotel for an unrelated call involving an individual refusing to leave the property.
Officers identified the individual as Woodrum and took him into custody based on evidence developed during the investigation.
Woodrum has been charged with breaking and entering a firearm distributor, breaking and entering a building during the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, larceny of a firearm (four counts), larceny under $1,200 and vandalizing property (two counts).
Additional charges are expected at the conclusion of the investigation.
Woodrum will be arraigned Monday in Dedham District Court.
Anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts or activities in the Norwood area in recent days is asked to contact the Norwood Police Department at 781-440-5100.
