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Multiple AR-15s stolen from police in Lake City

Anderson AR-15

Multiple patrol cars in Columbia County have been burglarized in the past week, authorities said Thursday.

On Aug. 4, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office 2017 Ford Explorer marked patrol vehicle was burglarized at Windsong Apartment Complex in Lake City.

On Aug. 8, another patrol vehicle was burglarized near Country Club Road in Lake City.

In the Aug. 4 theft, suspects broke a window and took an AR-15 .223 rifle, a 30-round magazine, a green tactical vest, and a black tactical vest.

In the Aug. 8 theft, suspects took another AR-15 .223 rifle, a camouflage woodland backpack, an Italian bayonet, .40 caliber ammunition, and .223 caliber ammunition.

Lake City police also had two weapons stolen from patrol cars.

Deputies say this is the first time they’ve had their own vehicles broken into.

“The people that did this are now armed,” Murray Smith, spokesperson for the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, said.

The rifles, he said, were in gun cases and hidden.

“These guys obviously have some skills," Smith said.

Smith said there isn't a policy that requires deputies to secure their weapons inside a home.

Neighbors told Action News Jax that it's worrisome that the weapons are on the streets.

“Not very safe,” Frankie Gaylord said. “We need the public’s help."

The sheriff’s office is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the stolen weapons.

Smith also said the department is now looking into alarms for the cars and more education about storing weapons for deputies.

Anyone with information about these crimes or the identity of the individual(s) responsible is asked to contact Detective Samson at 386-758-1373 or for an immediate response call dispatch 386-719-2005.