LCSO reminds residents to secure firearms

 The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reminds firearm owners to make sure their firearms are properly secured, and not be left in vehicles.

 Since January 1, nine firearms have been taken from five vehicles that were left unlocked in Loudoun County, including four firearms that were reported stolen on March 1, from an unlocked vehicle in Sterling.

“We now have firearms in the hands of people who may sell or use them to commit a crime,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.  “This could have been easily prevented, and I am urging gun owners to do their part, and never leave firearms in an unsecured vehicle.”

In light of these cases, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit is offering residents several tips for deterring thefts from vehicles:  

• If you have to leave a firearm in your vehicle, use a secured lock box and take the ammunition/ magazine with you and out of the vehicle.
• Keep your vehicle locked. Most stolen items are taken from vehicles that are left unlocked.
• Remove all items from your vehicle, including garage door openers, when not in use. When you cannot do this, put the items out of sight (inside a lockable glove box or trunk). If your vehicle has an integrated garage door opener, please try to park your vehicle in the garage.
• Park inside your garage, if available, and keep the garage locked. Or, try to park your vehicle near or under an illuminated area. 
• The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office encourages residents to report all suspicious activity immediately by calling the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 703-777-1021.