[artichokegrower]

From the article:

"Still, while as many as seven people were detained, there were no arrests - a clear sign, department insiders say, that they had a deal with somebody to get the weapon back with no questions asked."

So they had to buy the rifle back from the gang bangers? Great police work.

[BerryDingle]

detained, there were no arrests

Interesting that kidnapping is not mentioned.

[soycd]

Either an extortion buyback or they simply traded for an AR that won’t trace back to the PD. Trade secret indeed.

[mosaicwolf]

I would guess this AR-15 since it was a police weapon had a full auto option.

[zwerni]

So they know where the gangs are, they know who has weapons, they could track, trace and retrieve one particular gun... ???

No one is arrested? No other guns or weapons are retrieved? No questions asked? Tomorrow is business as usual ?

Sound like a Tom and Jerry cartoon...

[PowderMonkey]

Well, maybe not exactly “buy,” but something close to it. I personally know of an unfortunate and not too bright young fed who lost his wallet, creds, gun, cuffs, and hand held radio, because of his inordinate fondness for high-priced call girls. One of them absconded with the goods after he fell asleep one night. Local PD put word out on the street to return everything before sundown, or face a major across the board crackdown. Further, ahem, negotiations led to a no questions asked resolution. The young fed was told to immediately seek employment elsewhere, and explain to the wife and kids why he let the little head to the thinking for the big head.

[jz638]

I wonder how many confidential informants and undercover officers were burned in the process of getting that weapon back.

[ThunderSleeps]

And if it were my property that had been stolen? Would there be no resources spared?

[PLMerite]

“it wouldn’t be in the best interest of future cases to give away trade secrets.”

Wouldn’t surprise me if it was chipped.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Some wit could cause great consternation by suggesting that the thieves didn’t steal *a* rifle, but a rifle rack full of rifles, that are still missing.