MSP rifle, badge stolen from truck

GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - An off-duty Michigan State Police sergeant's state-issued rifle and badge were stolen out of his truck in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn Express in Grandville.

The theft of the Colt M-16 rifle happened overnight between Aug. 20 and 21, according to MSP's Shannon Banner.

The truck was locked and the thief smashed a window to gain entry. Personal items were also stolen.

MSP is investigating in conjunction with the Grandville Police Department. As far as they know, the thief did not target that truck and had no way of knowing it belonged to a state police sergeant.

Neither the gun nor the badge were visible from outside the truck. Banner would not specify where they were beyond that.

MSP troopers are required to carry a handgun while off-duty. They are not required to carry a rifle. However, carrying a rifle off-duty is not against policy. In fact, some assignments require additional firearms.

Banner would not give additional details regarding the sergeant's activities, but did say he is in special operations.

The investigation is ongoing.