Hundreds of guns have been stolen from Houston-area gun stores and pawn shops, and investigators need help to find the people responsible.

Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said 274 firearms have been stolen in the past six weeks.

"It's a variety of weapons -- long guns, handguns," Special Agent Gary Orchowski said. "There is no specific weapon they appear to be targeting."

Investigators said they believe a professional crews of at least seven people are burglarizing the shops at night.

"We want those guns back. We want to know where they're at," said Lt. Jeff Stauber with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

In addition to stealing guns, the thieves are also taking jewelry and electronics when they can get them, detectives said.

Investigators said they think the same people are responsible for at least eight burglaries:

• Dec. 2: 11133 Huffmeister in Cypress -- 37 firearms stolen
• Dec. 17: 6951 State Highway 21 East in Bryan -- 80 firearms taken
• Dec. 24: 12726 North Freeway -- no firearms taken
• Jan. 4: 12303 Veterans Memorial -- 131 firearms stolen
• Jan. 4: 11431 North Freeway -- 10 firearms taken
• Jan. 7: 505 East Brazos Ave. in West Columbia -- 16 firearms stolen
• Jan. 12: 10790 W. F.M. 1960 -- no firearms taken
• Jan. 14: 6135 F.M. 2920 in Spring -- three suspects arrested in this case

"At this point, we do have three suspects in custody," Stauber said. "However, we do believe at least four more suspects are at large."

Detectives said that the stolen guns are normally quickly recovered near where they were stolen. Only one gun has been found out of state so far, officials said. Investigators said they don't know where many of them are.

"My worst fear is that ... is that guns are on the streets," Stauber said. "Guns in the wrong hands -- nothing good can come of that."

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and you could get a $5,000 reward.