City of Cortland Police. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith).
The City of Cortland Police Department is investigating a burglary that recently took place at an apartment building on Tompkins Street, according to a Facebook post by city police on Thursday.
According to city police, the burglar stole four firearms, including:
- Two Winchester Model 70 rifles
- A 12-Gauge Ithaca shotgun
- And a .50 Cal muzzleloader
City detective sergeant Dan Edwards mentioned that a toolbox is also missing from the apartment.
The individual had their firearms stolen from his apartment “over the course of a two-week period” when the individual was away, city detective lieutenant Mike Strangeway said to The Cortland Voice Friday morning.
“Our best hope at solving this crime will be if someone comes across these (firearms), whether this person tries to sell them, pawn them or whatever,” Strangeway added. He noted the guns are valued at an “excess of $1,000.”
Strangeway said other parts of the apartment were not burglarized.
“There was indication that (the apartment) was burglarized from the outside of it,” he added.
The Facebook post notes that three of the four guns had “black scopes on them,” and “a black stock” attached to the shotgun. All of the guns are left-handed action guns, Edwards said.
“It’s very unusual,” Strangeway said. “(The left-handed action) is a really identifiable feature of these rifles. You hardly see a left-handed action (one).”
Strangeway noted that left-handed individuals still own right-handed action rifles, due to it “not being easy to get a left-handed action one.”
The guns, which are owned by one person, are not New York State-registered guns.
“They’re just long guns,” Strangeway said. He added the types of guns stolen can be purchased anywhere.
Those with information on the stolen firearms can contact Edwards at 607-758-8308.
Below are pictured firearms similar to the left-handed action firearms stolen from an apartment building on Tompkins Street in the city of Cortland:
