Guns, ammunition and uniforms were stolen from a police station in Northampton County, PA and authorities warned residents to beware of impostors posing as officers. State police said the burglary happened in the early morning Friday at the Roseto, PA police station. The station about 60 miles north of Philadelphia was unmanned at the time of the burglary.
Among the items stolen were two 12-gauge shotguns, two handguns, a canister of tear gas, two blue uniforms, two Ballistic vests, a gun belt with handcuffs and Mace, a black T-shirt with “Police” written in white on the back, six police radios and 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
The weapons and ammunition weren’t locked up, and were easily accessed once inside the building, police said.
The Roseto department operates for 16 hours each day at varying times, said Roseto Police Chief Mark Chain, who refused to comment on the burglary.
State police urged people in the area to be cautious because the stolen items could be used to commit more crimes, said state police Capt. Theodore Kohuth. Police also warned that the items could be used to impersonate a police officer. “A burglary of this nature is truly disconcerting,” Kohuth said.
Police1 urges all departments to review their policies and procedures for storing weapons and locking down their department. This is particularly important in light of September 11th and the recent terrorist alerts regarding use of police vehicles/uniforms in attacks.