Police Assault Rifle Stolen From Vehicle
By GABE WELLS Staff Writer`
WHEELING - A Wheeling Police Department assault rifle may be in the hands of a criminal, Chief Robert Matheny said today.
The M-16 was stolen on or about Oct. 21 from the vehicle of an off-duty Wheeling officer. Matheny said he does not know if the weapon was loaded, but it was taken along with other items removed from the vehicle which was parked outside the city limits.
Matheny said the weapon was issued to a city officer who is a member of the department's SWAT unit. He said the officer claims the weapon was under the back seat of the truck, and the vehicle was locked. Matheny could not comment on whether the officer will be reprimanded because the matter is a "personnel issue."
The theft is being investigated by the Wheeling Detachment of the West Virginia State Police.
State Police Sgt. Scott Adams could not be reached today to comment on the investigation. Matheny said the officer reported the theft to city and state police as soon as he found the weapon missing.
Matheny said the department's top priority is the recovery of the assault rifle. He said the situation is disturbing.
"It scares me, and everyone else as well," Matheny said. "We want to get this out to let the public know, and we are hoping this may generate some information. ...We hope by the end of the week we get the gun back."
Matheny said the Wheeling Police Department's policy regarding the storage of weapons by off-duty officers is "ambiguous." He said he will review the policy to determine whether changes may be needed.
"It does require that (officers) maintain and take care of equipment so it is not lost or stolen," Matheny said. " If the policy needs changed we certainly will, but some things can't be prevented."
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact the Wheeling Police Department Detective Division at 304-234-3781 or the Wheeling Detachment of the West Virginia State Police at 304-238-1100.
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fightthepower26003
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11-06-09 1:30 PM
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I believe it was at his house. I understand the need for SWAT to quickly access their gear, but really... take it in your house. Definitely a Class A screw-up. Not necessarily surprising though.
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dyingov
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11-05-09 9:58 PM
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Maybe it was used at Fort Hood! The incident at Fort Hood speaks "volumes" about our Homeland Security...just another waste of money with multiple bureaucraps!
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rover1958
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11-05-09 7:58 PM
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Not enough details for the armchair detectives here to figure out what actually happened. By not telling where the theft took place it can cause a leap of the imagination that it must have been at a bar or place of ill repute. In which case, it may have been a 'set up' if the truck parked there repeatedly. We don't know and if the'reporters' don't care to dig out the details it's a waste of time to speculate. Just pray that rifle isn't at Ft. Hood.
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EllisWyatt
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11-05-09 7:18 PM
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Obviously, whoever stole this weapon knew that the SWAT dude was storing it in his vehicle. What are the chances that a random car break-in stumbles on a police assault rifle? From what I have seen of Wheeling's finest, it wouldn't surprise me if this guy was in a bar bragging about his weapons and telling people where he keeps them. Tough guy. Maybe some crackhead needed a fix and took advantage. I would check with the pawnshops. If not there, shake down all the local drug dealers. Failing there, you are SOL. It may have found its' way to Miami via Detroit and Huntington. It will be a shame if this rifle winds up killing people in Miami.
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wvjeeper
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11-05-09 6:39 PM
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WVCD35 i would if they were in plain clothes and unable to call for help and aresst me. they are not gods. they are no better or tougher than any othere person.
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popeye
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11-05-09 6:25 PM
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WVCD35- I would call a cop a fraud unless he upholds and defends The Constitution.
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WVCD35
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11-05-09 5:59 PM
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CLM1948, Obviously you are the DUMB A**, Gessler has been gone for awhile and as far as you calling the cop a dumb A** that just shows how much of a JERK you are! I am sure you dont have the NUTS to go up to a cop on the street and say that to their face now do you?
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citizen6
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11-05-09 5:41 PM
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maybe he lives in ohio county because Officers are allowed to live anywhere in ohio county,as with any other city employee.
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citizen6
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11-05-09 5:38 PM
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people need to learn how to read before they post a comment.
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clm1948
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11-05-09 5:14 PM
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What is with this new chief? Did Gessler have plastic surgery?
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clm1948
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11-05-09 5:11 PM
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Wow! I thought officers should preach don't leave valuables in their car? Under seat? Maybe the person that stole the assult rifle should be given an award or a medal. At least he outsmarted the dumb a_s cop. Fire the dummy. At least he doesn't live in the city limits, maybe he lives in Martins Ferry, Ohio? Maybe used to be the police chief? Ha! Ha! Ha!
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wheelingwas
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11-05-09 3:56 PM
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Disturbing but funny
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cory1978
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11-05-09 3:32 PM
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tromba99: This was titled as breaking news. How could you think otherwise?
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true2bun
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11-05-09 2:53 PM
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lets see, maybe in the hands of a criminal? if a person breaks into a car and steals a gun- isn't that a criminal activity, unlesssss the police officer sold it, i gusee thats why they say may
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true2bun
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11-05-09 2:50 PM
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we are assuming that since it just made the paper that it did happen two weeks ago, we know the paper would not wait two weeks to publish the story. This is why we need two officers to every patrol car, and maybe every office personal car so things don't get stolen when when officer goes into the 7-111 or spank tank
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Bossman011
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11-05-09 2:50 PM
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Out of the city limits? Does this mean he doesn't live in Wheeling? I thought one of the requirements for a police officer of Wheeling is to live in city limits? I love the "on or abouts" of the story. So he doesn't know when it was.
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popeye
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11-05-09 1:42 PM
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They won't release the name of the the gestapo member because it's a personal issue. Gotta love it.
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popeye
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11-05-09 1:40 PM
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Stupid jackboot. Hahaha.
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richardwhee
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11-05-09 1:04 PM
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Welcome to the City of Wheeling; Chief.Now you know what you have to work with.
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opinionsonly
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11-05-09 12:23 PM
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Maybe Gessler took it.
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tromba99
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11-05-09 12:22 PM
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cory.... Where does it say it took the officer 2 weeks to notice the weapon was missing? It says it was stolen on or about 10/21 and he reported it missing as soon as he noticed it. Just because it makes the paper today DOESN'T mean he noticed it missing yesterday.
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weshatch
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11-05-09 12:20 PM
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I understad why a swat officer may need to keep a weapon with him and things can and do happen, but should it not be secured like the shotgun is in a patrol car. Even Cabelas has gun safes for cars and trucks. The "other item" taken, was it also police property or what? Ammunition, mags,*****a "back up gun" are these other items.
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ChipCarte
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11-05-09 12:16 PM
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Maybe Barney Has It
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cory1978
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11-05-09 12:08 PM
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It took two full weeks for the officer to notice that his assault weapon is missing from under the seat of his car???......GOOD ONE SKIPPY!
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DigDoug
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11-05-09 12:04 PM
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Where did the theft occur? Was the rifle loaded? Was a trigger lock in place? Will the officer pay restitution to replace the lost equipment?
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