Sarasota police investigating theft of 2 powerful guns

SARASOTA, Fla. – Police are investigating after two semi-automatic guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition went missing.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette Dipino said she is taking the investigation very seriously and canceled her engagement with a local NAACP and pastor’s group Wednesday.

“I couldn’t have lived with myself if even one person would have gotten hurt last night because an individual stole this weapon and tried to hurt either the citizens or our police officers,” she said.

She was supposed to speak at a public forum. But she said an AK-47, a thousand rounds of ammo, plus two 40-round magazines were stolen from a house. Hours later, an AR-7 rifle was also stolen and those weapons and the safety of citizens became her top concerns.

“I couldn’t feel comfortable knowing that an AK-47 with a thousands rounds was on our street in close proximity of where the meeting was to take place,” Dipino said.

Dipino would not confirm whether there was a credible threat against local law enforcement, but said she believes police are a target nationwide.

Since January more than a dozen guns have been stolen from homes and unlocked cars, police said.

Gun owners are encouraged to lock their firearms securely.