The theft of a truck holding a shotgun has prompted Prince George RCMP to ask drivers to be more careful about what they leave in their vehicles.
"Police would like to remind gun owners to never leave their firearms in vehicles for any amount of time," RCMP said a press release issued Monday. "A stolen firearm is a public safety concern that could put other people in our community and police officers at greater risk."
The incident occurred early Friday morning in the parking lot of a local hotel.
Not only was the gun left in truck but so was a spare set of keys.
The truck and the keys were recovered near Third and Johnson later the same day, however the gun remained missing. A man fled on foot but was apprehended, RCMP said.
William Gerald McBride, 38, has been charge with seven counts, including possession of stolen property over $5,000 and two counts of theft of a credit card, and remained in custody as of Monday.
Relying on images from a surveillance camera, RCMP said the theft, as well as the theft of several items from another vehicle in the same parking lot, occurred at about 1 a.m.
RCMP also executed a search warrant on a 2100-block Victoria Street home where they recovered several other stolen items but not the firearm.
