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.
-
No. 13 Hoosiers beat Spartans 47-10 for first 9-0 start in program history
Kurtis Rourke threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns Saturday to lead No. 13 Indiana to a 47-10 victory over Michigan State and its first 9-0 start in school history.IMPD announces updates to outbound traffic pattern for Eras Tour night 2
IMPD has announced updates to the outbound traffic pattern for night 2 of the Eras Tour in an effort to improve traffic.Delphi Murders Trial: Day 14 | Jurors react to videos of Allen in prison
On day 14 of the Delphi Murders trial, the defense played ten videos taken of Richard Allen in prison between April and May 2023. No one in the audience, except for the jury, was allowed to watch.'The Era' of local businesses in Indianapolis
Night One of the Eras Tour brought thousands of Swifities to Indy on Friday, and local businesses were just excited as fans to welcome all the hype to the Circle City.