Burglar steals rifle, ammo from CHP cars at Contra Costa headquarters
By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times
Updated: 12/16/2008 11:15:19 AM PST
MARTINEZ — In what is being described as a brazen theft, at least one burglar broke into a secure California Highway Patrol lot and took a tactical rifle and ammunition from two squad cars, the CHP said.
The burglary occurred sometime between 1:30 a.m. Monday and 1:30 a.m. this morning, when the break-in was discovered by a patrol sergeant, said CHP Officer Tom Maguire.
The sergeant noticed that a portion of the chain-link fence that surrounds the lot had been cut out, and upon investigating further, found that two cars were forced open. A Colt Sporter Match H-Bar semiautomatic rifle was taken from one of the cars, and ammunition for the rifle was taken from both.
The burglary is being handled by the CHP's investigative services division.
Maguire said the burglar had to be wily and use a great amount of brute force to break the electric lock used to secure the rifle in the vehicle, which was located in an area surrounded by the fence, barbed wire, keypad locks, and is well-lighted and supervised all day.
"In 11 years, I don't remember anything like this happening before," Maguire said.
Maguire said the missing weapon resembles a military tactical rifle, and may look suspicious if seen in non-police hands. Anyone with information about the burglary can contact the Contra Costa area field office at 925-646-4980 or the agency's tip line at 800-TELL-CHP.
Home 
