Car Break-Ins Hit County Road — Thieves Take Gun From Truck

A string of overnight vehicle break-ins left residents dealing with damaged vehicles, stolen property, and a reminder from deputies: your vehicle is not a secure gun safe. Lawrence County Deputies responded to multiple reports of vehicles being entered overnight, including one case where a handgun was stolen from inside a truck. The first report came from a County Road 21 resident who told deputies he learned something was wrong after his son discovered someone had attempted to steal his vehicle. The man said he went outside and found his 2017 Chevy Equinox with the ignition damaged and torn apart. When he checked his 2025 Chevy Silverado, he discovered a handgun was missing from inside the truck. The stolen firearm was identified as a SCCY 9mm handgun. The owner provided the firearm information, and deputies entered the weapon into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database as stolen. Deputies photographed the damaged vehicle, as well as documentation identifying the firearm. Investigators said the homeowner did not have security cameras in the area and was unsure exactly when the theft occurred. More Vehicles Hit Nearby About an hour later, deputies responded to another report of vehicle break-ins on County Road 119. A woman told deputies she discovered her black Ford Escape had been entered while she was preparing to leave for work. The vehicle's steering column had been damaged, but she reported nothing was missing. A neighbor then reported similar damage involving multiple vehicles. The neighbor said his wife discovered the problem when leaving for work around 6 a.m. He told deputies three vehicles had been searched, with only a vape missing. The vehicles included a gray Honda Civic and a black Dodge Journey. Deputies documented damage to the Honda's steering column, while no damage was found on the Dodge Journey. Photos were taken of all damaged vehicles. Why You Should Never Leave a Firearm in Your Vehicle Law enforcement agencies regularly warn gun owners that vehicles are one of the most common places firearms are stolen. Even a locked vehicle can be targeted by thieves who break windows, pry doors, or defeat locks. A stolen firearm can then become an untraceable weapon used in another crime. Safety experts recommend: Take your firearm with you whenever possible. Use a secured gun safe designed specifically for vehicles if storage is unavoidable. Never leave firearms visible inside a vehicle. Do not store ammunition and firearms together in an unsecured location. Report stolen firearms immediately. A vehicle is convenient storage—but convenience can come with a serious risk if a thief gets there first.

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