THUNDER BAY – Police have recovered a backpack stolen from a Thunder Bay Police Service officer's personal vehicle but the prohibited-class handgun and three magazines of ammunition that were in the bag when it was stolen are still missing.
Police recovered the bag that was robbed in the south side break-in on Sunday. They say the incident occurred between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. the night before.
The backpack was discovered in the Green Acres area on the 500 block of Brown Street but the police-issued Glock model 26 and three clips were not inside.
While a forenic unit examined that evidence and officers investigated tips from the public on Tuesday, police spokesman Chris Adams stressed the situation remains urgent.
"We have a very serious safety concern we're dealing with," Adams said.
"Any firearm is dangerous. This firearm is exceptionally dangerous because we have to assume it's fully loaded."
The circumstances surrounding the firearm being in the officer’s personal vehicle are now under investigation. The unnamed officer involved has been placed on administrative duties.
Adams urged whomever is in possession of the weapon to contact police, stressing personal identities don't need to be disclosed to Crime Stoppers.
"You have a chance to do the right thing," he said.
"You may not realize what you're doing in taking this type of firearm but I can assure you, you're dealing with a very dangerous weapon and you're in your best interests to try to get it back in police hands. If you want to remain anonymous, you can do so."
Anyone who has information on the location of the weapon can contact police at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
