Seattle Police Chief's Gun Stolen

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By By Leslie Knopp

Summary

Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske's service pistol was stolen from his unmarked Crown Victoria on Dec. 26.

Story Published: Jan 3, 2005 at 6:53 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2009 at 11:46 AM PDT

Seattle Police Chief's Gun Stolen
SEATTLE - Anyone could be a victim of a crime, even the chief of police.

Someone broke into Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske's car and stole his handgun last week.

The car prowler struck some time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on December 26. Chief Kerlikowske's car was parked at 6th Avenue and Olive Street downtown.

Seattle Police won't say how the thief broke into the car or how the gun was stored.

"I don't have exact details as to where the gun was in the car, but I can tell you that it was secured in the car," said Seattle Police spokesman Sean Whitcomb. "It wouldn't have been available to anyone just wandering by."

The gun was a 9mm Glock handgun, model number 26. The Chief drives a city-issued unmarked Ford Crown Victoria. Police said the thief probably would not have known it was a police car, or known what was inside.

"Unfortunately these types of crimes are all too common in the city of Seattle," said Whitcomb. "Through November 2004, we've had over 23,000 thefts that have occurred. So certainly someone like the chief of police would not be immune to that type of a crime."

Seattle Police say they do not have any suspects. Whitcomb said department regulations allow guns to be left in vehicles.