LEWISTON – Thieves who broke into a paintball business overnight made off with as much as $10,000 worth of equipment.

For police and the owners of Scorpion Paintball on Strawberry Avenue, the theft is particularly troubling: Most of the items stolen were paintball rifles and handguns that are presumably now in the hands of criminals.

“There are rifles and other guns out on the streets,” said Heather Thomas-Billings of Scorpion. “Granted, it’s only Airsoft but people should know that this stuff is out there.”

It is believed the break-in occurred late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

“They used a big old rock to bust a window to get in,” Thomas-Billings said. “It’s unreal how much stuff is missing. They must have had a big truck to haul it all away.”

A variety of paintball equipment and accessories were taken during the heist, police said. Among the items missing are numerous replica AK-47 automatic paintball guns as well other styles.

Employees at Scorpion were still taking inventory Tuesday night to determine exactly how much was taken in the burglary.

Thomas-Billings said store managers had alerted pawn shops to be on the lookout for anyone trying to sell a supply of paintball guns and accessories.

Police, meanwhile, were investigating the break-in while bearing in mind that a quantity of paintball weaponry may be in the hands of people other than responsible paintball enthusiasts.

Since the start of summer, the city has been vexed by damage caused by paintballs being fired at houses, cars and people. Often the exploding paintballs are fired from moving cars, police say.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call their police department. In Lewiston, police may be reached at 513-3001.