MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - The Murfreesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is working to track down a group of burglars who pulled off a dramatic smash‑and‑grab at a local gun range early Saturday morning (5/2/2026). Detectives say the break‑in happened around 3:40 a.m. at Black Frog Arms & Range at 915 North Thompson Lane, when a vehicle was deliberately driven straight into the front of the business. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS.
When officers arrived, they found a Kia Soul still lodged inside the building. The suspects had already taken off, but not before grabbing multiple firearms. Investigators say the group was dressed in white Tyvek coverall suits, making it harder to identify them on camera. (See surveillance photo BELOW) After crashing the Kia into the building, the individuals jumped out, ran inside, grabbed the guns, and sprinted back out within moments.
In a twist that raised eyebrows even among seasoned officers, what looked like an RPG round was found lying in the parking lot. Detectives believe the suspects dropped it while fleeing. An RPG round is the projectile used in a rocket‑propelled grenade launcher—a military‑style weapon designed to fire an explosive charge. Because these devices are dangerous and tightly regulated, they aren’t something civilians typically encounter.
An RPG round is essentially a rocket‑powered projectile that’s meant to be launched from a shoulder‑fired tube. In real military use, it’s designed to disable vehicles or structures. The key point is that it’s not a standalone object—it only functions when paired with the launcher it’s built for.
In the Murfreesboro case, investigators said the item found in the parking lot appeared to be inert or a replica, meaning it wasn’t capable of functioning as a weapon. Law enforcement often encounters replica or training versions that look real but contain no explosive components.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol bomb squad was called in as a precaution, and after examining the item, determined it was inert or a replica. Still, the discovery added another layer of strangeness to an already unusual burglary.
Police believe the group left the area in a second vehicle, described as a dark‑colored Kia Optima. Crime data analysts with the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center are now combing through license plate reader hits and public safety camera footage to help detectives piece together the suspects’ movements before and after the break‑in.
The investigation remains active, and detectives are working to identify everyone involved. As of now, police have not released information about how many firearms were taken or whether the abandoned Kia has been linked to previous crimes.
Anyone with information that may help solve this case is urged to contact the Murfreesboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division Property Crimes Unit at 615-893-2717.
