Weapons, bulletproof vest stolen from locked vehicle in SouthPark

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An assault rifle, pistol, ammunition and a bulletproof vest were stolen from a locked vehicle in a residential area Friday night near SouthPark Mall.

The vehicle that was parked on Piedmont Row Drive had its windows smashed leading to the theft between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., police said.

"That's scary, I think,” Jay Sharkey, who frequents the SouthPark area, said. “This is a pretty nice neighborhood."

Mitch Hyatt with the Hyatt Gun Store said customers call him every couple of days about stolen firearms.

"We hear of car break-ins all the time,” Hyatt said. “Customers calling in, needing to get their serial number from the gun to report it stolen."

The problem is so big that his store partnered with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in August to give away 100 gun safes for cars.

Hyatt has sold more than 500 safes since August.

"There are plenty of gun safes on the market to protect your guns and your valuables," he said.

No arrests have been made and no further information has been released.

• California gunman raised in NC; family 'appalled' by rampage
• Cox Mill HS teacher charged with indecent liberties with student
• Woman in custody following high-speed chase across 3 counties
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Wednesday forecast outlook
• School cafeteria worker in Rock Hill says students served moldy bread
• RAW VIDEO: Davidson woman 'sings out' against hotel development

Cox Media Group