A number of dangerous weapons, including a shotgun and tear gas canisters, have gone missing form the Victoria Police Department, spurring two full-scale investigations and a public alert.
The equipment was found missing from the Crowd Management Unit earlier this week. There's no word yet on where it is or how it was removed, but police say all of the items are easily identifiable as police property.
"Clearly this is unacceptable. Whether the items were stolen, improperly disposed of or inadvertently misplaced, it is unacceptable not to know their current disposition. For that, I take full responsibility," Chief Jamie Graham told reporters Friday.
"The worst scenario possibly in the world is that some youngster gets his hands on this and hurts himself."
Police say the Remington shotgun was strictly used by officers in a non-lethal capacity, but is the item of "greatest concern" in the investigation because it can also be fired using conventional 12-gauge ammunition.
Other missing items include pepper balls, which are similar to paintballs but contain pepper solution, anti-riot ARWEN rounds and tactical vests.
Anyone who finds the missing equipment is urged not to touch it, and asked to call 911 immediately.
Graham says he has ordered two investigations into the missing equipment. The department's detective division will look into the circumstances that led to the disappearance, while the professional standards unit will examine any changes necessary to internal policies and practices.
The chief added that there are no signs of a break-in at the police station.
