PHILLIPS – State police are investigating the theft of three competition-style firearms valued at about $3,700 from a Blake Hill Road house within the past 10 days.

State Trooper Scott Nichols said he believed the stolen handguns are tied to a checkbook that was missing from the residence and later discovered on Quaker Hill Road in Greene by a woman out walking her dog.

The woman who found the checkbook called the person listed on the checks to tell him she found the checkbook, Nichols said.

The man then started looking around his house and discovered that the three handguns were missing, the trooper said.

Entry is believed to have been gained through the rear of the house, he said.

Two of the handguns are unique in that they’re not made for hunting but for competition and are very expensive, Nichols said.

The guns reported stolen are a Les Baer .38 Super pistol, semi automatic with a compensator and scope attached, a Ruger MK II .22 target pistol with competition red dot electronic sights attached, and a .22 Smith & Wesson Model 11 Combat Masterpiece standard revolver, Nichols said.

The Les Baer pistol alone is estimated to $2,500 in value, he said.

Anyone who may have information on the guns is asked to contact Nichols through the Augusta State Police dispatch center at 1-800-452-4664.