RCMP service pistol stolen from vehicle in downtown Halifax

An RCMP service pistol and ammunition werestolen in downtown Halifax Friday night from thevehicle of an off-duty New Brunswick Mountie.

Halifax Regional Police say the officer parked her personal vehicle around 8 p.m. in the lot at 1549 Lower Water St. When the officer returned about two hours later, a thief had broken in and stolen the gun and three ammunition magazines.

RCMP say the officer had the gun because she was about to travelto Gagetown, N.B., for training following a visit with friends in Halifax. Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh says there are policies surrounding travelling with guns.

"The pistol must be unloaded and locked in the approved RCMP storage firearms container when travelling," she said. "And the pistol must also be inoperablewith a secure locking device."

Halifax police say the gun was locked in a strong box in the vehicle, while the magazines each hold 15 bullets.

The gun is a nine millimetreSmith & Wesson model 5909. There is an RCMP logo on it and a silhouette of a mounted police officer. GRC is also inscribed in the right side of the slide.

Police say anyone with information about the theft should call 902-490-5016, or leave an anonymous tip withCrime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), on the web at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or bytextingTip 202 + your message to 274637.