Assault rifle stolen from unmarked police cruiser, found

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WHDH) -- Someone stole an assault rifle -- capable of shooting more than 50 rounds per minute -- from an off-duty New Bedford police detective’s unmarked cruiser.

New Bedford police are happy to have the AR-15 assault rifle back. They said they believe the weapon was never fired when it was missing.

Deranged suspect James Holmes used a similar weapon to kill his victims at the premiere of the new Batman movie a week ago.

The gun was found partially buried in a wooded section of Acushnet last night.

Two suspects were arrested. Brandon Pierce, 21, allegedly helped sell the gun to another 21-year-old Acushnet man, Joshua Amaral. Police believe he planned to resell it for a profit.

Police are still trying to locate the suspect, or suspects, who actually stole the gun from the cruiser.

“It took a lot of good old fashioned police work to get it done, but the public can rest easy tonight knowing that the weapon is off the street,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell, City of New Bedford.

The suspects are being held without bail pending a hearing in a week. Sources say the young men are known to police, but never before in connection with weapons charges.

On the streets of New Bedford, the incident has people buzzing, wondering about safety.

“It makes me sorry that I let my license to carry expire and I’m seriously considering renewing it,” said Paul Barron, gun owner.

Sources say it’s possible the thief just broke into a random car, never knowing it was a police cruiser.

The investigation is ongoing.