Guns Stolen From Private Security Vehicle

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- A private security vehicle with four .38 caliber handguns inside was stolen at HD Woodson High School in far Northeast DC Tuesday afternoon.

The stolen Jeep Cherokee was recovered by DC Police less than 2 hours later near the corner of 49th St & Sheriff Rd, NE. But the four handguns were not inside and are still missing.

"We want to be very diligent in looking for these weapons. It's unfortunate that we have four more weapons on the street that we have to get off the street," said Commander Cheryl Pendergast, the Director of School Security for District Police. "So the investigation continues until we recover the weapons or find out who has the weapons."

The vehicle belongs to Hawk One Security, a private security company that patrols the outside perimeter at Woodson, which is located at 55th & Eads Sts., NE. According to Pendergast, the officer who regularly drove the stolen Jeep was not contracted to guard the schools. He was visiting his supervisor who was stationed at Woodson at the time the vehicle was stolen. According to DC Police the four handguns were not loaded and no ammunition was inside the vehicle when it was stolen.

Still, neighbors are uneasy at the thought of those stolen weapons being on the streets.

"I hope they recover what was stolen. I mean, that's not good. We have enough weapons on the street as is," said Rozetta Taylor who lives across the street from where the Jeep was recovered. "I'm glad no one was hurt."

Taylor said she does not allow her son outdoors unless he is accompanied by an adult. She said she will be even more watchful with an additional four guns on the street.