Four Guns Stolen From Vehicle In Loudoun County: Police

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Four guns were stolen from a vehicle in Sterling on March 1, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle was unlocked when the guns were stolen, authorities said.

There have now been nine firearms stolen from vehicles in Loudoun County since the beginning of 2021. In a news release, Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman explained the danger presented by stolen firearms, and how residents can prevent these thefts.

"We now have firearms in the hands of people who may sell or use them to commit a crime," Sheriff Chapman said. "This could have been easily prevented, and I am urging gun owners to do their part, and never leave firearms in an unsecured vehicle."

After Monday's theft, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office provided these tips for residents in an effort to prevent thefts from vehicles.

• If a firearm has to be left in a vehicle, use a lock box and take the gun's magazine with you
• Keep your vehicle locked when you're not in it. Most items are stolen from unlocked vehicles, according to the Sheriff's Office.
• Remove all items from your vehicle when you're not in it. This includes garage door openers. If the items can not be removed from the vehicle, they should be kept in a lockable glove box or trunk.
• Park inside a garage when it's possible. If a garage is not available, residents should try to park their vehicle in a well-lit area, like near a street light.

Anyone with information about the thefts can contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's non-emergency line at 703-777-1021. Loudoun County residents can also report a crime online.