As the Roanoke Rapids Police Department continues to investigate the theft of equipment from Chief Chuck Hasty’s patrol vehicle Wednesday morning, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a similar break-in.
The website Fighting Crime in Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Halifax reported this morning Nash County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the break-in of a patrol vehicle at a deputy’s residence.
The website reported at least one firearm was taken. The website reported investigators are not sure whether the Nash County break-in is related to the one in Roanoke Rapids or whether patrol vehicles are being targeted.
“We have communicated with Nash County,” Hasty said this morning.
Hasty said it is a possibility law enforcement vehicles are being targeted but not definite until investigations are completed.
Hasty said the theft of a rifle, bullet-proof vest and a gun magazine stolen from his locked vehicle remains under investigation.
The items stolen during the break-in were out of view and the rifle was in a locked case.
The police department’s only policy regarding the storage of weapons in vehicles is they are to be removed when the vehicles are being serviced.
In light of the Wednesday morning break-in and larceny from his vehicle, Hasty said he sent out a directive stating weapons stored in vehicles when officers are not on duty are to be removed.
Hasty said investigators are still trying to determine how his vehicle was broken into. He said the hood to the vehicle was opened but is not sure why.
The break-in of Hasty’s vehicle Wednesday occurred between midnight and 5:15 a.m.
Captain Bobby Martin said a vehicle in the vicinity of another law enforcement officer’s house was also broken into but nothing was taken. That break-in occurred within an hour of the Hasty B&E.
Anyone with information on the Hasty break-in is encouraged to call Martin at 252-533-2820 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
Anyone with information on the Nash County break-in is encouraged to call 252-459-4121.