Police recover rifle stolen from off- duty officer

Calgary police said they’re relieved but not proud after they recovered a patrol rifle that was stolen from an off- duty officer’s vehicle nearly two weeks ago.

The officer, identified by sources as Const. Stephen Baker, left the police- issued firearm in his personal vehicle on the evening of April 4 when he stopped into Schanks Sports Bar on Crowfoot Terrace N. W.

When he returned, he realized someone had broken into the Subaru and fled with a hardcover case containing the Colt C8 rifle, which he was taking home to clean, and two magazines containing 28 rounds each.

The case was locked but improperly tethered to the vehicle, police said.

Investigators said they recovered the weapon and magazines after executing a search warrant in a northeast home on Wednesday, but the case remains missing. No charges have been laid.

“We’re not proud. We’re relieved, because we get that we lost more than the rifle when it was taken,” Sgt. Jason Walker, with the police service’s guns and gangs unit, told reporters on Thursday.

“There were trust and confidence issues there, and a big part of this was getting both the rifle back and looking to work to restore that kind of trust and confidence, because we need that.”

The Calgary Police Service reported a separate investigation is ongoing into the officer’s handling and storage of the firearm, including his decision to remove it from police headquarters.

Spokesman Kevin Brookwell said a provincial police watchdog will review the investigation. Next, Crown counsel in Edmonton — not in Calgary, to maintain independence — will look at the case to determine if charges should be laid against the officer.

Baker, a three- year member of the police service, remains suspended with pay.

Walker said police have identified persons of interest in the theft of the rifle, but no suspects. The home from which they seized the rifle and ammunition was not previously known to police.

There is no reason to believe the rifle was used in the commission of an offence but an ongoing forensic examination of the weapon will reveal whether it was discharged, among other possible clues, Walker said.

Investigators are still searching for the case that contained the rifle and ammunition, which may reveal more clues into this unravelling mystery.

Officers are also looking for the driver of a vehicle that was in a parking lot next to Schanks Sports Bar on the night the gun was stolen.

The driver, a potential witness, was temporarily blocked by another vehicle police believe was occupied by those responsible for the theft.

Walker said officers have poured “countless hours” into recovering the rifle with a tremendous sense of urgency.

“From the chief on down, no one’s been sleeping well for the last 12 days, I can assure you of that,” Walker said.

“This is Scotty in the engine room: ‘ Captain, the ship’s gonna blow,’” he said, referring to the chief engineer in the Star Trek television series.