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Cache of LAPD Submachine Guns Stolen
Monday, 17 Oct 2011, 5:38 PM CDT

(NewsCore) - LOS ANGELES -- A cache of Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) submachine guns and large-caliber handguns was stolen last week from a training site used by the department's elite SWAT unit, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

The guns had been altered by police to only fire blanks, but police told the Times that they were concerned the firearms could be readjusted back to their original lethal capabilities.

"This is a big deal," LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing said. "We're concerned. We want to recover them."

The weapons were stolen after being stored in a lock box on the first floor of a 14-story downtown Los Angeles structure, known as the Kennedy Building. The guns -- which included 21 MP-5 submachine guns and 12 large-caliber handguns -- were moved to the building Wednesday evening in preparation for a Thursday morning training session.

The theft was discovered at 9:00am local time Thursday when an officer arrived at the Kennedy Building.

Although unguarded by officers, the LAPD believed the building was secure due to numerous bolt locks, a metal roll gate, and two internal doors.

"I guess 'secure' is all relative now," Downing told the Times. "It's embarrassing ... It's a lesson learned."

Downing said that the department was investigating the break-in and "working on leads." Downing said investigators were not ruling out the possibility that the heist was an inside job.

The Kennedy Building was well known to the public as an LAPD training center. Officers are routinely seen entering and exiting the building, and the site has previously been the target of public demonstrations.

The break-in is particularly embarrassing for the SWAT unit, which specializes in high-risk situations and prides itself in far-sighted planning during dangerous missions.

Downing did not specify if any officers would be disciplined over the gaffe, but said "appropriate measures" had been taken.