Authorities say more than half of guns stolen last year in Evansville and Vanderburgh County were taken from vehicles. WNIN’s John Gibson has more:
Detectives with the Evansville Police Department Street Crimes Unit conducted an audit of 212 reports from 2023 regarding firearm thefts.
They say of the 212 reported thefts of firearms, 111 were stolen from vehicles.
Police say so far this year, 117 firearm thefts have been reported with 57% of them stolen from unlocked vehicles.
The EPD says stolen firearms have been used to commit violent crimes and sometimes the guns end up in the hands of juveniles.
Police are reminding all vehicle owners -- especially gun owners -- to keep your vehicles locked and store your firearms safely and securely.
The EPD says like many cities, Evansville has seen people go from neighborhood to neighborhood trying vehicle door handles until they find a vehicle that has been left unlocked.
This “theft of opportunity” can lead to valuables and even dangerous weapons falling into the hands of criminals.
The EPD also reminds all gun owners to keep up to date records on each firearm.