Danger alert after burglars grab weapon
Police want to find this replica AK-47 which was stolen in a burglary.
A thief broke into a garage and made off with the air-rifle and a bottle full of ammunition.
Owner Dave Chandler, 32, who holds a special licence, is desperately worried the weapon could be used to threaten or injure someone.
Although the rifle is used as an airgun, it can fire ball bearings at up to 400 rounds per minute at speeds of up to 250mph.
Mr Chandler bought the 300 weapon as his hobby is Airsoft skirmishing – an organised shooting game played in fields and woods that is similar to paintballing and uses airguns that fire plastic projectiles.
He said: 'I am keen to get my gun back into safe and responsible hands.
'It could easily blind someone or could kill people and animals. Ultimately, if a foolish person is wielding it in public, the armed police might shoot them on sight, as it looks and feels very authentic.'
The burglar raided the garage in Bracklesham Road, Hayling Island, while the family was out.
As well as the airgun the thief took Mr Chandler's six-year-old son's radio-controlled car, a Satnav, and car stereo.
Mr Chandler added: 'If it had been kids, I think it (the airgun] would have turned up by now.
'It's just crazy why they would have taken a remote-controlled car and an airgun.'
PC Chrissie Broughton urged people to contact police if they knew of the gun's whereabouts.
'These items are not illegal to own in the UK, though it is illegal to have them in a public place at any time,' she said.
'We would like to reassure the local community that, while this plastic replica can fire small projectiles which can cause injury, it is an imitation firearm.
'Every effort is being made to find the person responsible and ensure that this replica is not used in the commission of a criminal offence.'
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the replica AK-47 or the burglary should contact the Waterlooville Priority Crime Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
REWARD OFFERED
Dave Chandler is offering a 100 reward for the safe return of the replica rifle.
The burglars struck either between 8.20am and 10.20am or between 1.55pm and 3.20pm on Wednesday, October 21.
An American ACU Digital gun case and all its kit was taken, as well as a Sony Nav-U NVX P1 in its original box with manuals and cables.
The radio-controlled car was an Alfa Romeo 155Ti Touring car painted white in Bosch livery in a dark blue Tamiya holdall bag.
The car stereo stolen was a Sony CDX F7500 in its cage, with cables.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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