WATCH ABOVE: The Calgary Police service says this has never happened before. A semi-automatic rifle has been stolen from a police officer’s personal vehicle and now, police are looking for the public’s help in finding it. As Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports, it could be a career-ending mistake for the officer involved and he could even end up facing charges.
CALGARY – A semi-automatic patrol rifle inside a locked hard cover carrying case was stolen out of an off-duty Calgary Police officer’s personal car Saturday night, in a car prowling.
The officer went into a restaurant in the 0-100 block of Crowfoot Terrace N.W and parked his car in a parking lot.
When he returned to his car, he saw that it had been broken into. The patrol rifle case, with everything inside of it, was taken.
Within the locked case, there’s also two magazines containing 28 rounds each.
The officer had taken the rifle home to clean it.
Superintendent Kevan Stuart, with Calgary Police says there will be a firearms investigation to determine if there was any breach made by the officer, just like there would be for any other citizen.
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“There is no reason in my mind why an officer would take this firearm home,” Stuart said. “Currently, this member is in the process of being suspended. A three-year member that works out of district 3.”
“Sick to my stomach. Sick to my stomach,” Stuart said.
“I am asking any members of the public if they have any information about first of all, where this fire arm is at, who has this firearm. Secondly, who is responsible for taking this firearm out of the vehicle to please come forward and contact Calgary police service,” he said. “Public safety is paramount for us. Safety of our officers is paramount now that we have a stolen firearm.”
“What should have been done? Leave it at work,” Stuart said. “To my knowledge this has not happened before. If our investigation determines there is any criminal code breaches that put the public at safety and officers at safety, this officer’s career is in huge jeopardy.”
“Patrol rifles are stored in the district offices, a locked office and are locked in that office. Or with the officer that is assigned these after going through extensive training with the patrol rifle. When the officer comes to work, they will pick up that firearm, take it or take it to their vehicle,” Stuart said.
Stuart said Calgary Police normally don’t want their officers taking their firearms home.
“I am going to say that right out, and I know that is going to create some controversy. But we do not want our officers taking their firearms home. There is nothing good that can come of that. Most officers leave their handguns at their office where they work. Which is the smart thing to do,” Stuart said.
Police are asking for the public’s help, if anyone has any information surrounding this incident, they’re asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.Calgary Police are searching the area for possible CCTV footage and to see if any other vehicles were targeted.
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