Photo shows AR-15 rifle similar to what an OCSO patrol deputy lost. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)
A Southern California patrol deputy lost an AR-15 Tuesday after placing it on the trunk of a patrol vehicle and driving away before realizing his weapon was missing.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department officer has yet to find the weapon, according to the Orange County Register. The deputy was getting ready to start a shift at the Aliso Viejo station and placed the AR-15 rifle in a black nylon bag with three loaded magazines on the car’s trunk. He got distracted and drove off with the weapon still on the vehicle, according to officials.
According to the paper, it took seven hours to realize the weapon was missing. Reserve deputies, bloodhounds and investigative personnel have been searching the streets near Laguna Hills for the gun. Officials described it as a black Colt, semi-automatic AR-15, .223 caliber with a 20-inch barrel. It’s serial number is A0091856.
“The deputy indicated that he drove on several streets in both the cities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Hills; however, was unable to pinpoint a specific location where the rifle may have been lost,” according to a department statement.
The department didn’t specify whether the officer was punished as a result of losing his firearm.
Officials are encouraging anyone with any information on the missing weapon to immediately call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000 or send an anonymous tip to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-OCCS.
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