Ontario Provincial Police are continuing their search for a stolen gun, a police uniform and other police gear that were taken from an unmarked police vehicle stolen from a police officer's driveway earlier this week.
Police located the vehicle in Cornwall on Tuesday, about 12 hours after it was stolen from a police officer's driveway in Long Sault, just southwest of Cornwall.
A secured lock-box containing a 40-calibre firearm, three rounds of ammunition, handcuffs and pepper spray were stolen from the trunk. A police uniform and a bullet-proof vest are also missing.
Although police believe the theft was a random act, the incident has heightened their concern for public safety.
"Any firearm is a danger. I'm concerned for the people who may run into it; the suspects that may have it and not know how to handle it properly," said Insp. Dave Springer.
Police are now offering tips to identify a fake officer:
- Ask to see the officer's badge or warrant card
- Phone the OPP hotline at *677 to find out if the officer indeed works for the police
Still, the incident has people in the area worried.
"It's pretty scary that that's out there; that somebody could pretend to be a police officer when they're not," said one girl.
"To be perfectly honest, I found it very strange that a policeman would have his gun and his handcuffs in his car parked outside his house. To me that's a no, no," said a male resident.
However, leaving a gun in a locked box in a secure trunk is in compliance with the Firearms Act. Provincial police have to follow additional requirements too. An investigation has been launched to determine if those procedures were followed.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the nearest police agency, or call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem
