Santa Clara County

San Jose Police Cadet's Gun Stolen During Car Burglary: Sources

A San Jose police cadet might be in big trouble before he even graduates on Friday.

Sources tell NBC Bay Area the cadet's police-issued gun was stolen and he is now under investigation. The weapon and other equipment was stolen from the cadet's car, sources said.

Police are not saying much and said it is a personnel matter.

"I can confirm an employee reported their equipment was stolen," San Jose police said in an e-mail. "However, I cannot provide details since it is being handled internally as a personnel issue."

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office confirms that a gun was stolen last month.

Deputies responded to the theft at the end of October because it happened in county jurisdiction. Sources also said the weapon ended up in the wrong hands.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesperson Sgt. James Jensen said deputies on Oct. 26 responded to a car burglary that occurred behind the Benihana restaurant in Cupertino.

"When the deputies arrived they noticed the car was ransacked," Jensen said. "The glove box was ransacked."

The gun was in the trunk and the thief apparently popped it open, took the weapon along with other materials.

The gun's case and other materials associated with the weapon were found in a stolen car pulled over by police recently in Redwood City. The gun, however, was not located.

Jensen said detectives are still investigating the burglary.

Sources said officers get an automatic 10-hour suspension if they ever lose their department-issued guns. A cadet is considered an employee who is on probation.

San Jose's police academy graduates on Friday.

It is not clear what punishment the cadet will face, or if he will still be given his badge on graduation day.

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