Benton County Sheriff's Office Searches for Missing Shotgun
By: Kyle Leyenberger
Updated: January 18, 2013
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is hunting for a missing shotgun after a deputy forgot to put the weapon away.
Sheriff Kelley Cradduck asked his part time division to bring all their gear in, so he could take an inventory, but when one of those part time deputies left, he forgot to put away his shotgun.
"It's not loaded but that doesn't make me feel any better," Cradduck says.
He says part-time deputy Mark Heiner left the 12-guage on the roof of his car as he left the station Wednesday night.
Deputies spent hours searching for the weapon but it never turned up.
Cradduck plans to fire Heiner for the mistake.
"I felt that it was an egregious error that put the public safety at risk," Cradduck says. "Therefore, substantial consequences needed to take place."
The Sheriff wants people to be on the lookout for a black 12-guage shotgun with a collapsible stock and a pistol grip. The gun also has a sheriff's office emblem.
"At this point we believe that someone has picked it up," Cradduck says. "That's my fear and that's my worry and that's why we're asking for the public's help."
Cradduck says he isn't interested in pressing charges on whoever has the shotgun, he just wants it back.
If you have any information on the missing weapon, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 271-1008.
Sheriff Kelley Cradduck asked his part time division to bring all their gear in, so he could take an inventory, but when one of those part time deputies left, he forgot to put away his shotgun.
"It's not loaded but that doesn't make me feel any better," Cradduck says.
He says part-time deputy Mark Heiner left the 12-guage on the roof of his car as he left the station Wednesday night.
Deputies spent hours searching for the weapon but it never turned up.
Cradduck plans to fire Heiner for the mistake.
"I felt that it was an egregious error that put the public safety at risk," Cradduck says. "Therefore, substantial consequences needed to take place."
The Sheriff wants people to be on the lookout for a black 12-guage shotgun with a collapsible stock and a pistol grip. The gun also has a sheriff's office emblem.
"At this point we believe that someone has picked it up," Cradduck says. "That's my fear and that's my worry and that's why we're asking for the public's help."
Cradduck says he isn't interested in pressing charges on whoever has the shotgun, he just wants it back.
If you have any information on the missing weapon, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 271-1008.
