COLUMBUS — A dangerous problem is impacting multiple communities in central Indiana: guns being stolen right out of vehicles.
Tamara Watson, a certified firearms instructor for Indiana State Police, said she had her duty gun stolen from her undercover cop car in 2013.
“I got this terrible sick feeling of 'I hope they didn’t pop the trunk,'” Watson said. “We never did recover my firearm."
Columbus Police Lt. Matt Harris said the department tracked five firearm thefts in the past couple of weeks.
“The trial hasn’t started yet but last summer we had an officer exchange gunfire with a suspect who was reported as a prowler and it was later determined that the firearm used in that crime was stolen from an unlocked vehicle from Columbus,” Harris said.
Harris said many times that these thefts occur when the car doors are unlocked.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says 59 guns have been stolen from cars downtown this year alone.
Those numbers have officers concerned.
“These weapons end up in the hands of people who are legally allowed to have firearms oftentimes,” Harris said.
-
Keystone Avenue ramp closure and I-65 lane restrictions to begin this month
Starting on or after May 17, the exit ramp from northbound I-65 to Keystone Avenue will close for reconstruction until August. Lane restrictions will also be implemented on I-65.Former Plainfield correctional officers charged with theft for falsifying hours
Hendricks County prosecutors criminally charged two former state prison employees with official misconduct, fraud and theft.Riverside Adventure Park opens in Indianapolis
Indy Parks has revitalized one of the city's most historic parks with new playground equipment and trials while highlighting nature in the central part of the Circle City.Over 2 million Ninja pressure cookers recalled after reports of burn injuries
SharkNinja is recalling more than 2 million pressure cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada — after consumers reported over 100 burn injuries spanning from a hazard that can cause hot food to spew out.