Assault rifle stolen from Hastings police squad car

[TC95GT]

http://www.hastingsstargazette.com/even ... /id/20594/

An AR-15 assault rifle was stolen from the Hastings Police Department’s DARE vehicle Tuesday morning while it was parked outside the home of an officer.

Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, a call came into the police department about gunshots coming from the ponding basin located immediately to the west of Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, near where W. 14th Street dead-ends.

The caller saw someone leaving the area carrying what looked like a backpack and a case. A witness followed the suspect, but lost sight of the suspect after he or she was seen crossing Highway 55 near Pleasant Drive.

Hastings police officers and Dakota County sheriff’s deputies combed the area, searching for the suspect, but didn’t find anyone. The Hastings police K-9 also attempted to track the person’s scent, but was unable to do so.

At about 6:50 a.m., less than an hour later, the officer who had the DARE vehicle at his house came outside to begin his workday and saw that a window on the vehicle had been shattered.

The officer, who lives in the same neighborhood in which the gunshots were reported, discovered the rifle and its case, along with his duty bag, were missing from the vehicle. A duty bag typically contains things like extra handcuffs, ammunition and raingear.

While the police officers and deputies were initially searching for the suspect, they drove by a garage with an open door in the neighborhood. In speaking with the homeowner, they discovered a car in the garage had been ransacked, but nothing was missing. Police believe the two break-ins are related.

The investigation into the stolen gun is ongoing, according to Police Chief Mike McMenomy. On Thursday afternoon, there were officers searching the wooded areas near Highway 55 and Pleasant Drive in hopes of recovering the weapon.

McMenomy said anytime a gun falls into the wrong hands it’s a concern, but an AR-15 shoots at a higher velocity than a handgun, which makes it even more dangerous.

Every Hastings police squad car is equipped with an AR-15. They’re supposed to be locked into a secure device in the squad behind the driver’s seat, but because the DARE vehicle is relatively new, about two months old, and isn’t a typical squad car design, the police department was still looking into a lock for the rifle, McMenomy said.

“The gun shouldn’t have been in the car,” he said.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, McMenomy said the police department would have taken the gun back, no questions asked, if it were returned. McMenomy said if the gun hadn’t been returned by the end of the day on Thursday Aug. 13, that offer would be off the table.

The damage to the vehicle, coupled with the stolen property, totals about $2,000. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible. If you have information about the incident, you’re encouraged to call the Hastings Police Department at 480-2300.

[VikesFan1]

McMenomy said anytime a gun falls into the wrong hands it’s a concern, but an AR-15 shoots at a higher velocity than a handgun, which makes it even more dangerous.

Maybe whoever has it is good guy and he just plans on keeping it.

[justaguy]

“The gun shouldn’t have been in the car,” he said.

No ****?

[Rip Van Winkle]

Hmmm, what do you suppose would happen to one of us mere mortals (non LEO) if we had left a AR in our car and it was stolen.

[Joecool]

Hmmm, what do you suppose would happen to one of us mere mortals (non LEO) if we had left a AR in our car and it was stolen.

I actually would like to know the answer to this question. I would guess nothing as you could say got back from the range and hadn't had a chance to bring it in yet.

[thunderoussilence]

Is it full auto? Kinda scary if a local bad guy has a Automatic weapon.

[justaguy]

Is it full auto? Kinda scary if a local bad guy has a Automatic weapon.

I would rather the untrained had full auto, they wont hit ****, and they will run out of ammo quick. And regardless full auto isn't all that scary......unless a tripod and T&E are involved.

[hammAR]

Hmmm, what do you suppose would happen to one of us mere mortals (non LEO) if we had left a AR in our car and it was stolen.

I actually would like to know the answer to this question. I would guess nothing as you could say got back from the range and hadn't had a chance to bring it in yet.

I would easily imagine that in today's culture,
IF the weapon was used in a felony and folks die (including the BG),
that at a minimum you could become easily entangled in a civil suit............

[ijosef]

I'm surprised they just said "assault rifle" and not "high-powered assault rifle" like usual. Everyone knows that the .223 is effective on even the largest African game animals!

[Bessy]

I'm surprised they just said "assault rifle" and not "high-powered assault rifle" like usual. Everyone knows that the .223 is effective on even the largest African game animals!

You missed the obligatory heat seeking bullets as well, they aim for small heat signatures... like those of children.

[farmerj]

Is it full auto? Kinda scary if a local bad guy has a Automatic weapon.

I would rather the untrained had full auto, they wont hit ****, and they will run out of ammo quick. And regardless full auto isn't all that scary......unless a tripod and T&E are involved.

Beg to differ with you there. She had ZERO instruction other than "lean into it".

[Tommy Gun]

I'll keep an eye on the Marketplace Firearms thread for any new AR15 listings...

... to catch the dastardly thief. Yeah, that's what I meant.

[WWJD]

Got to love that giggle switch!

[PileDriver]

Just saw this, I've met the officer a few times. Never woulda guessed it was him. Goes to show, just takes one instance of laziness.


Said car. Not exactly "new", but new to them.

[tman]

Hmmm, what do you suppose would happen to one of us mere mortals (non LEO) if we had left a AR in our car and it was stolen.

I actually would like to know the answer to this question. I would guess nothing as you could say got back from the range and hadn't had a chance to bring it in yet.

IMO, it's NOT your fault someone BROKE into your car and STOLE something that did not belong to them. CIvil suit, my @ss...