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Police in Hanover are investigating the theft of a licensed shotgun from a safe during a house break-in at a residence in a gated housing development in Hopewell.

Reports are that the firearm, a black Benelli M2 shotgun with its serial number affixed, was stolen sometime between 6:15 p.m. on July 11 and 6:36 p.m. on July 12. A report was filed with the police on July 13.

According to law enforcement, the weapon was securely stored in a safe prior to the break-in.

The circumstances of the burglary and how the safe was accessed are now under investigation by the Lucea Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

The incident adds to growing national concerns about firearm security. Data from the latest Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica reveals that 109 guns and 2,001 rounds of ammunition were stolen from licensed firearm holders over the two-year period of 2023 and 2024.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Lucea police or Crime Stop at 311.

- Andre Williams

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