5/9/2007 5:41:00 PM
Three rifles stolen in theft
Three rifles were stolen during a daytime break-in at the Warwick home of a rifle club member yesterday.
Police have launched a full-scale investigation while advising the public to be cautious.
All rifle club members are being told to surrender all their weapons at Warwick Camp for an audit so that their whereabouts are known, police said.
The weapons were kept stored in locked boxes in the Longtail Drive residence, but no bullets were taken because there was none in the house.
According to Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams, ammunition is stored in an undisclosed "secure place" but, asked about the availability of bullets, he said: "I'm not able to speak about what the abilities of the criminal classes are."
While it's not clear whether the owner was complying with the legal requirements for gun security at home, Mr. Adams said that as far as he knows that was the case, but reminded that the investigation was still in progress.
The rifles were a World War II vintage "Garand" .30 calibre semi-automatic infantry rifle, a "Paramount" 7.62 calibre single-shot competition rifle and a similar competition rifle of the "Hall" manufacture.
According to information on the Internet, the "Garand" is designed to hold magazines of up to eight bullets and has an effective range of 440 yards.
It was replaced as an infantry weapon in 1957.
Mr. Adams said there's no indication that there are plans to use the stolen guns, which he described as "very powerful", or that the burglars specifically targeted them.
"The array of goods and items that were stolen suggests that it was a break and enter with the intention of stealing whatever could be stolen," he noted, reporting that jewellery, cash and food were missing.
The Serious Crime Unit is investigating, helped by CID and Narcotics, but Mr. Adams wouldn't comment on any leads or the suspected number of thieves.
Police are appealing for anyone with information on this to call 299-4239.
The maximum penalties for gun possession range from two to 15 years in jail with a mandatory minimum of five years in the Supreme Court.
http://www.bermudasun.bm/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=33664&TM=79718.45
Three rifles stolen in theft
Three rifles were stolen during a daytime break-in at the Warwick home of a rifle club member yesterday.
Police have launched a full-scale investigation while advising the public to be cautious.
All rifle club members are being told to surrender all their weapons at Warwick Camp for an audit so that their whereabouts are known, police said.
The weapons were kept stored in locked boxes in the Longtail Drive residence, but no bullets were taken because there was none in the house.
According to Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams, ammunition is stored in an undisclosed "secure place" but, asked about the availability of bullets, he said: "I'm not able to speak about what the abilities of the criminal classes are."
While it's not clear whether the owner was complying with the legal requirements for gun security at home, Mr. Adams said that as far as he knows that was the case, but reminded that the investigation was still in progress.
The rifles were a World War II vintage "Garand" .30 calibre semi-automatic infantry rifle, a "Paramount" 7.62 calibre single-shot competition rifle and a similar competition rifle of the "Hall" manufacture.
According to information on the Internet, the "Garand" is designed to hold magazines of up to eight bullets and has an effective range of 440 yards.
It was replaced as an infantry weapon in 1957.
Mr. Adams said there's no indication that there are plans to use the stolen guns, which he described as "very powerful", or that the burglars specifically targeted them.
"The array of goods and items that were stolen suggests that it was a break and enter with the intention of stealing whatever could be stolen," he noted, reporting that jewellery, cash and food were missing.
The Serious Crime Unit is investigating, helped by CID and Narcotics, but Mr. Adams wouldn't comment on any leads or the suspected number of thieves.
Police are appealing for anyone with information on this to call 299-4239.
The maximum penalties for gun possession range from two to 15 years in jail with a mandatory minimum of five years in the Supreme Court.
http://www.bermudasun.bm/main.asp?SectionID=24&SubSectionID=270&ArticleID=33664&TM=79718.45
