LA County Sheriff’s Department rifle missing after apparently falling from deputies’ trunk in South Los Angeles

Officials are asking the public for help after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department rifle was lost in South Los Angeles on Saturday, June 12.

Deputies responded to a call after 10:30 p.m. when they realized their department-issued Colt M4 rifle was missing from the trunk of their patrol vehicle, LASD said in a Sunday statement.

Officials believe the rifle, which was stored in a secure, black hard-shelled case, fell out while driving. The case also contained five magazines that were each loaded with 30 rounds of .223-caliber ammunition.

The deputies had driven about four miles, traveling north on Normandie Avenue, west on Imperial Highway, north on Hawthorne Boulevard and west on 104th Street to Inglewood Avenue.

After realizing the rifle was gone, officials with the South L.A. station searched the parking lot and retraced the deputies’ route. Officials are also reviewing surveillance footage, and other local law enforcement agencies were notified.

The Sheriff’s Department is reviewing the situation to determine if policies and procedures were followed, to find areas of improvement and stop the issue from occurring in the future.

Officials are also asking the public to call 323-820-6700 if they have any information about the missing rifle or have video captured along the deputies’ route.