LEHIGH TWP., Pa. – A massive search for a missing loaded gun has wrapped up in Northampton County.
Lehigh Township Police and several other agencies spent hours searching for the handgun that a motorcyclist reported losing.
“He was traveling on a motorcycle and he lost his loaded firearm,” said Ofc. Elias Batihk, Lehigh Township Police Patrolman.
There was a sense of urgency in the massive search around Lehigh Township and neighboring areas.
Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
“It’s a safety problem. We don’t want it to get into the hands of criminals or especially children, teenagers, walking along the road,” said Batihk.
Batihk said agencies from around the region gathered together to trace back the route that the motorcyclist had traveled on.
According to officers, the man noticed his gun was missing after stopping at a gas station in Moore Township around 11p.m.
“His route would have been from in Moore township on Mountain View Drive into Lehigh Township,” said Batihk.
Police said he drove down State Route 946 and ended his trip on Blue Mountain Drive.
The man told officers he first searched on his own for his 45-mm-Colt-break action firearm, then went to police headquarters to report the incident just after 4a.m.
Nearly six hours after the man went to police, a resident found the gun in the area of Mountain View Drive and Horseshoe Drive in Moore Township.
“The gun was turned over to us by Moore Township [police], so we do have the fire armored possession,” said Batihk.
“Where do we go from here?” asked 69 News Reporter Cierra Genelle.
“It’s pretty much closed out. Just have to make sure, obviously, run things through PSP through a PICS check and he can have his firearm back,” said Batihk.
Rich Rolen | for WFMZ-TV
We’re told the man is legally able to own a gun.
Police said charges will not be filed.