Weapons and gear were stolen from a city-owned police vehicle this week, according to Police Chief Fred Shelton.
An assault rifle, a handgun, 500 rounds of ammunition and two bulletproof vests were taken from the trunk of an unmarked police vehicle parked at an officer’s house, Shelton said.
The theft happened sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, Shelton said. The residence is on Northside near the intersection of Willowbrook Road and Fifth Street North.
CPD policy allows officers to bring their vehicles home.
Shelton said CPD is leading the investigation, but the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is assisting. The city can investigate the crime because it is the victim, Shelton explained.
“This is not our word against somebody else’s,” he said. “If there’s a wreck, for example, it’s our word against there’s and we can’t show any favoritism. This is our stuff and we have a right to do our own investigation.”
If caught, the suspects would be charged with auto burglary, Shelton said.
“It doesn’t make any difference that it was a police car,” he said.
Shelton said CPD is looking into the possibility of video evidence.
Mayor Keith Gaskin said he is very concerned by the crime.
“I am upset over this news of missing weapons and other equipment,” he said. “The weapons being in the hands of a thief is a risk to the health and safety of our community.”
Information on the missing guns has been entered into a national database used by law enforcement agencies across the country, Gaskin said.
“Law enforcement must set the highest standards for gun safety and security,” Gaskin said. “This highlights the need for us to review and update our general orders, policies and procedures.”
Gaskin said that he has asked for copies of CPD’s policy on storing weapons.
“I’m asking to see those policies now,” Gaskin said. “Obviously it’s a concern. I’ve talked to people at the sheriff’s office and some of them say weapons of that grade are stored in a locker, but some are saying that sometimes they’re kept in trunks.”
Shelton said the officer does not face any discipline for the theft, and that there is no policy governing how weapons and gear should be stored. Putting the guns and vests in the trunk is kosher as far as the department is concerned, he said.
Shelton asked anyone with information on the case to call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151 or use the P3 Tips smartphone app. Tips are anonymous, and there is a cash reward if they result in an arrest.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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