August 23, 2004

Lansing - A Clinton County resident was reunited with a hunting rifle stolen from his residence over 30 years ago. The Michigan State Police Lansing Post recovered the 7mm Husqvarna hunting rifle taken during an unsolved residential burglary in Watertown Township on June 24, 1972.

With the assistance of the Corpus Christi, Texas Police Department, a state police detective identified the weapon, which was presented for sale at a gun store in Corpus Christi. A routine check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database by investigators at the Corpus Christi Police Department resulted in a "stolen hit." The rifle showed up as stolen because weapons entered into the NCIC database remain there indefinitely until they are recovered or manually cancelled by the entering agency.

At this time, the 32-year cross-country journey of the stolen weapon remains a mystery to investigators, who have determined the Texas individual in possession of the weapon had no connections to Michigan.

"The rifle was recovered in near-mint condition, which is the most surprising aspect of this recovery," stated D/Sgt. Kyle McPhee of the Michigan State Police Lansing Post. "Most recovered stolen guns are severely abused and/or altered."

Local gun shops have estimated the recovered weapon to be valued at approximately $500.