Richmond Police reminds gun owners to not leave weapons in cars with thefts on the rise
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Police Department is sharing a warning about guns being taken from cars -- a long-standing issue within the city. The agency posted an alert to its social media on Dec. 4, stressing the importance of not leaving guns inside what should be a locked car. “Individuals are not only pulling on door handles, but they're also just breaking windows and rummaging through cars and they find a firearm. They're going to take it,” said Lieutenant Brian Robinson with the department, adding that gun thefts from cars have been an issue throughout parts of the city for several years. (Photo: Richmond Police Department) The following is data from Richmond Police, taken between Sept. 1 to Dec. 8 on the neighborhoods that have seen this issue the most. Shockoe Bottom: 21 guns stolen from vehicles The Fan District: 12 Chamberlayne Industrial Center: 8 Diamond District: 7 Old Town Manchester: 7 Overall, 507 firearms have been stolen from vehicles between Jan. 1 to Dec. 8 this year. In 2023, during the same time period, there were 602 stolen. “[If] you own a firearm, it's your responsibility to make sure that that firearm is secure,” Robinson said. Officials like Robinson are reminding people that a vehicle is the last place that should be used to hold or store guns, weapons or valuables of any kind -- but it's especially a bad idea especially around the holidays. “We're seeing a trend where it's happening [and] continues to happen, especially over the holiday season,” Robinson said. Man wanted, accused of hitting victim with car behind Colonial Heights 7-Eleven Robinson said that, most of the time those guns end up in the hands of young people, where they can do serious damage. “So it's a combination of both -- it's individuals leaving their vehicles unsecure and firearms in plain view, and then it's [the thieves,] where they see something else in the vehicle that's in plain view.” The department wants to help gun owners keep their weapons safe. They offer free gun safes at all precincts -- all you have to do is register for it when you pick it up. The agency is also holding its third gun buyback event on Saturday, Dec. 14.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond Police Department is sharing a warning about guns being taken from cars -- a long-standing issue within the city.
The agency posted an alert to its social media on Dec. 4, stressing the importance of not leaving guns inside what should be a locked car.
“Individuals are not only pulling on door handles, but they're also just breaking windows and rummaging through cars and they find a firearm. They're going to take it,” said Lieutenant Brian Robinson with the department, adding that gun thefts from cars have been an issue throughout parts of the city for several years.
(Photo: Richmond Police Department)
The following is data from Richmond Police, taken between Sept. 1 to Dec. 8 on the neighborhoods that have seen this issue the most.
- Shockoe Bottom: 21 guns stolen from vehicles
- The Fan District: 12
- Chamberlayne Industrial Center: 8
- Diamond District: 7
- Old Town Manchester: 7
Overall, 507 firearms have been stolen from vehicles between Jan. 1 to Dec. 8 this year. In 2023, during the same time period, there were 602 stolen.
“[If] you own a firearm, it's your responsibility to make sure that that firearm is secure,” Robinson said.
Officials like Robinson are reminding people that a vehicle is the last place that should be used to hold or store guns, weapons or valuables of any kind -- but it's especially a bad idea especially around the holidays.
“We're seeing a trend where it's happening [and] continues to happen, especially over the holiday season,” Robinson said.
Man wanted, accused of hitting victim with car behind Colonial Heights 7-Eleven
Robinson said that, most of the time those guns end up in the hands of young people, where they can do serious damage.
“So it's a combination of both -- it's individuals leaving their vehicles unsecure and firearms in plain view, and then it's [the thieves,] where they see something else in the vehicle that's in plain view.”
The department wants to help gun owners keep their weapons safe. They offer free gun safes at all precincts -- all you have to do is register for it when you pick it up. The agency is also holding its third gun buyback event on Saturday, Dec. 14.
