RCMP investigating theft of handguns and rifles

The RCMP say some handguns and rifles were stolen from locked cabinets inside a Digby County home and the Meteghan RCMP is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact them.

According to the RCMP, on March 8 a homeowner, who lives in New Edinburgh in the Municipality of Clare, returned home from work to find that while he was out, his home had been broken into and four handguns and several rifles had been stolen from locked cabinets inside his residence.

The RCMP say all firearms were registered and had been stored properly in locked cabinets inside the home.

According to the RCMP there was no ammunition stolen.

Members of Meteghan RCMP responded to the report of the break-in. The RCMP, with assistance from RCMP Police Dog Services, recovered all of the rifles in two different locations in the area.

In a March 10 media release, the RCMP said four handguns still remain missing.

They are described as:

• Sig Sauer P226R Elite Dark

• Sig Sauer P227R

• Springfield Armory XD40 Tactical

• Ruger Mark 3 Hunter

The serial numbers of the stolen firearms have been provided to police.

RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Clarke says entry into the home was gained through a back door.

She said the RCMP could not release information on how entry was gained into the locked cabinets, as this is part of the ongoing investigation. The RCMP don’t know if the breakin and theft was committed by more than one person.

Through their investigation, the RCMP has determined, with the help of witnesses, that the break-in occurred between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. while the person was at work.

“The person was at work for a longer period of time; however, with the witness information we were able to narrow it down to a shorter window of time during the day,” explained Clarke. She said they didn’t have any information about whether there were suspicious vehicles seen during that time.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Meteghan RCMP at 902-645-2326. Should a person wish to remain anonymous, they can call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www. crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.