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.
-
Indianapolis preparing for winter weather, potholes
The city will hire 64 CDL-licensed drivers to help plow the roads this winter. City leaders hope the investment will lead to safer roads during the winter months.
Hamilton County considering vote centers for future elections
A handful of polling locations saw wait times of up to three hours on Tuesday. Officials say they've considered vote centers before, but will start to look into them in 2025.
Neighbors want changes after second fatal crash on near north side since Oct.
Neighbors who live along 30th and Fall Creek Parkway on Indy’s near north side are calling for more safety measures following a deadly crash Wednesday morning.
Indianapolis police searching for missing 70-year-old woman
Sharon Rainey is described as 5’6” and 200 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the 300 block of N. Riley Avenue. If located, call 911 immediately.
