Guns Stolen From Saling's Country Store in Wingfield, Thief Caught On Camera

State Police Need Your Help

Darren Doyle:
A Wingfield business was broken into early Saturday morning where a thief got away with two handguns. Around 4:30am on Saturday, November 4th,  a burglar gained access to Saling's Country Store, located at 1800 Wingfield Church Road, by using a concrete block to smash the front door.

Owner Keith Saling said the thief smashed the glass case in the front of the building, took two Taurus .38 Special Ultralight handguns, and exited the building in 36 seconds.

Saling and his wife also live at the same property where their home is attached to the store.

"We heard the alarm going off, but by the time I was able to get up and get dressed, the guy was already gone and the damage had been done," he said.

The store is a long-time staple of the community and offers a little bit of everything there, including items from thick bologna sandwiches to firearms and ammo. Saling was recently honored by the Edmonson County Bus Garage for 30 years of service as county school bus driver. 

"I'm thankful that no one was hurt and that he was actually gone when I got in there," he added. "I would've been scared and mad and I'm sure the end result would've been much worse than it was."

Saling said there was around $2,000 worth of damage to the store. While the thief was caught on camera inside the building there were no cameras outside, something he says he plans to change. Although the camera doesn't show the subject's face, Saling is hoping someone might be able to see something that will be useful in tracking the criminal.

He said the guns have been reported to the LINK/NCIC nationwide database, which is used by law enforcement everywhere to track stolen firearms.

Members of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church (Miller Hill), which is less than a mile down the road, said three different car alarms went off during a Sunday night revival service the next night. Members reported that no one was seen breaking into cars but it's suspected that someone tried to open doors while the service was taking place. All members of the community have been advised to keep your vehicles, homes, and other property locked and secured.

The case is currently under investigation by the Kentucky State Police. If you have any information about this burglary and theft, please call Trooper Timmy Jewell at 270-782-2010.