AR-15-style rifle stolen from unmarked deputies car

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - In the early hours of August 22, a Lewis Machine & Tool Co. 223 rifle, loaded magazines, and tactical medical equipment were stolen from a Scott County sheriff’s unmarked investigators squad car. There were no signs of forced entry into the SUV, suggesting that the vehicle was left unlocked in front of the investigator’s residence in Davenport.

The stolen rifle, along with its ammunition, and other items were stored in a hard case in the back of the SUV. In this particular vehicle, the hard case wasn’t fastened to the frame of the vehicle and could be removed without force, making it easier to use in tactical situations.

“I can’t make any excuse for the blunder that we’ve made,” said sheriff Tim Lane. “The public and other law enforcement are at risk because this gun is clearly in the wrong hands.”

An investigation by the Sheriff’s Department and other local law enforcement agencies is in progress, despite the information and leads gathered, authorities have not been able to locate the rifle. Precautions have been taken by the department to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, and the sheriff’s department vehicles are now being checked to ensure they are equipped with proper gun-locking mechanisms.

“We’ve issued an order that said that all weapons that are not secured in a vehicle would not be able to be in the vehicle when the deputy is not able to protect them,” said sheriff Lane.

In reference to potential consequences that the investigator could face, Lane stated that “All disciplinary actions are handled internally within the sheriff’s office and are not released to the public.”

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