Guns stolen from LAPD SWAT-training site

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles police officials confirmed a cache of the department's submachine guns and handguns were stolen from a secured building.

LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing said the guns, including 21 MP-5 submachine guns and 12 large-caliber handguns, were taken after having been moved Wednesday night to a downtown building and stored in a lock box, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

SWAT team members were supposed to train at the facility with the firearms Thursday, Downing said.

A police officer discovered the guns missing Thursday morning. The officer also found electrical equipment piled near the back door, indicating the buglers may have still been working when the officer arrived.

Downing said although the building is not a guarded police facility, it was thought to be secure.

"I guess 'secure' is all relative now," he said. "It's embarrassing ... . It's a lesson learned."

"Appropriate measures" were being taken against those responsible for leaving the weapons unattended in the building and an investigation was being launched in an attempt to recover the guns, Downing said.

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