The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of a police department rifle stolen from a patrol vehicle.
An off-duty Garner Police officer reported that someone broke into his police-issued Ford Explorer parked in the driveway of his home on Polenta Road outside of Smithfield between Midnight and 8:40am Tuesday.
The suspect or suspects shattered a window on the patrol vehicle to gain entry and stole a Colt M4 rifle valued at $2,000.
“We are working with our Johnston County partners to find the person or persons responsible for breaking into a police car parked at an officer’s home and then stealing his weapon,” said Garner Police Chief Brandon Zuidema. “We are also looking into how this individual defeated the secure/locked gun rack that the weapon was in. We have taken steps in the meantime to make sure officer’s weapons remain secure while officers are off-duty.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Garner Police Department at 919-772-8810 or the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5010.
