Owensboro Police Department has seized more than 120 firearms related to criminal investigations since January 1, 2022, resulting in more than 20 juveniles and 30 adults being charged in cases involving firearms.
OPD Public Information Officer Andrew Boggess said the department has noticed an uptick in firearms being stolen, many of which are from unlocked vehicles. From Jan. 1 to July 31, there were a total of 64 guns reported stolen, which is a 36% increase from 2021 and a 94% increase from 2019.
“Securing firearms and preventing them from ending up in the wrong hands is an easy step our citizens can take to help make our community much safer,” Boggess said.
Collectively, the more than 50 individuals are facing the following charges:
- Possession of Handgun/Firearm by Convicted Felon (32 counts)
- Possession of Handgun by Minor (20 counts)
- Receiving Stoel Property – Firearm (20 counts)
- Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree (10 counts)
- Possession of a Defaced Firearm (4 counts)
- Murder (4 counts)
- Attempted Murder of Police Officer (2 counts)
- Robbery 1st Degree (1 count)
- Assault 2nd Degree (1 count)
- Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapon (1 count)
In addition to these charges involving firearms, over 180 additional criminal charges were generated as a result of these investigations. Some of these charges include:
- Burglary, 1st Degree
- Endangering the Welfare of a Minor
- Escape, 3rd Degree
- Fleeing or Evading Police 1st and 2nd Degree
- Resisting Arrest
- Tampering with Physical Evidence
- Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st Degree
- Unlawful Imprisonment
