Former Police Officer Accused Of Stealing M-16 Rifle From Old Patrol Car
WEST NORRITON, Pa. (CBS) -- A former cop in Montgomery County is facing charges he stole a weapon out of his old patrol car.
Charles Murray, 37, was a Lower Providence police officer for 10 years before he was fired in June, for what's described as "non-criminal disciplinary" matter.
Early Tuesday morning, it was discovered that the squad car that was previously assigned to Murray was broken into.
According to charging documents, the windshield was smashed and an M-16 patrol rifle with two magazines each containing 30-rounds of ammunition had been stolen from the car.
According to the complaint, Murray would know the code to access the M-16 in the back of the patrol car.
Through the day Tuesday, calls from police, friends and family to Murray wen unanswered.
Then Wednesday morning, Murray was found in his car in the parking lot of a West Norriton church, with a hose attached to his exhaust.
The priest talked him out of the car and into the church. Police were called, and as it was unclear if he was armed with the M-16, SWAT was called in.
Around 10 a.m., Murray surrendered without incident. Investigators say he did not have gun in the church.
According to the complaint, he told investigators he dumped the ammunition and the gun under the Collegeville Bridge.
He's facing theft and other charges. He's currently at Norristown State Hospital
