Man Accused of Stealing Police Rifle

A Montgomery County man accused of breaking into an unmarked police car and stealing a rifle, handcuffs and two police badges was charged.

Stephen Urban Garland, 37, of Brookville is charged with theft and malicious destruction of property and remains incarcerated at the Clarksburg Correctional Facility.

Garland stole several items from the car that had been parked overnight in front of an officer's house in Brookeville in June, including a police baton, two loaded .50 caliber Glock magazines and two sets of handcuffs, police said. Police found the M-4 rifle and a glove stolen from the car, but many stolen items remain missing.

In a plea agreement last week, Garland pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, resisting arrest, and driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.  Charges of theft from the officer's vehicle were not pursued because of a lack of sufficient evidence to prosecute.

Garland was arrested last month after police obtained surveillance video from stores where he used a debit card taken from the vehicle.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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