PUSLINCH – Police are looking for help to find a stolen handgun and two youths involved in the theft.
On April 8 a Puslinch resident contacted Wellington County OPP to report that at about 2am his son and nephew removed a handgun from a locked safe “and then made arrangements on social media to be picked up by an acquaintance to go and shoot the firearm,” police stated in a press release.
“The acquaintance attended the residence in a motor vehicle, along with two other youths that were unknown to the son and nephew.
“All the youths travelled to a field near the Morriston Car Park near Highway 401 and took turns shooting off approximately 20 rounds of ammunition.”
The group then traveled to Concession 2, just west of Sideroad 20 South, and fired off more rounds, police say.
At one point, one of the youths grabbed the gun from the nephew, ran back to the vehicle and sped off, leaving the son and nephew behind.
“The youth’s returned home and told the complainant what occurred and police were notified,” stated the OPP release.
A 16-year-old boy from Kitchener has been charged with theft under $5,000 and is to appear in Guelph court in July.
The Wellington County OPP Major Crime Unit is asking for the public’s help to identify the two youths and to locate the gun.
The firearm is described as a 9mm Ceska Zbrojovka CZ75 with a red handle and a Canadian flag on the handle.
Anyone with information can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online. Tip providers may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
