Gun Found in Sikh Temple Parking Lot

Police believe a loaded handgun found Sunday morning in the Sikh temple parking lot is connected to a robbery in South Milwaukee.

A 34-year-old temple member noticed the gun on the pavement about 9:45 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report. She turned it over to the temple security guard, who flagged down an Oak Creek police officer.

The gun is likely connected to an incident that happened near the temple the previous night, according to police. South Milwaukee police investigating an armed robbery in their city Saturday night pulled over a vehicle across the street from the temple, 7512 S. Howell Ave.

Two men fled the traffic stop. After a foot pursuit and search by Oak Creek and South Milwaukee police officers, they were found and arrested.

The gun, a 9mm pistol with a 13-round magazine, was found with one round in it, according to the police report. It was turned over to South Milwaukee police.

The incident came almost five months to the day after a white supremacist killed six temple members and wounded four others.

The Oak Creek Police Department has worked closely with the temple since then, helping put together a detailed security plan and responding often to activity at or near the building.

In an incident in October, a 32-year-old Maryland man was detained at the temple after police found ammunition in his car and "strange" writings in his backpack.