For the third time in 2017, a high ranking Central Florida Police employee left their gun overnight inside an unattended unmarked police vehicle in a residential neighborhood and someone stole it. It is not against policy for guns to be left locked inside a police vehicle. In all three cases, the weapons were locked up properly in either mounted locking devices or other locking devices. These three employees did nothing wrong. However, due to these recent thefts, it appears this policy may need to be revisited. Take a look at the three incidents that have already occurred this year:
- On January 28th an Orlando Police Department SWAT/TAC Officer left their submachine gun locked overnight inside an unattended unmarked OPD vehicle in a Baldwin Park apartment complex parking lot and someone stole it.
- On February 14th an Orlando Police Department Seargent left their AR-15 rifle locked overnight inside an unattended unmarked OPD vehicle in a a Lake Nona apartment complex parking lot and someone stole it. The gun mount locking device was stolen as well.
- On March 27th a Howey-in-the-Hills Lieutenant left their M-16 A2 rifle overnight inside an unattended unmarked police vehicle in a residential area and and someone stole it. Four loaded magazines, two .45 caliber magazines and two tactical vests with “Police” insignia were also stolen.