Assault rifle found in child's closet
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 31, 2012 1:46 PM
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Lashawn McCullen
MOUNT OLIVE -- A stolen and loaded assault rifle was found inside a child's bedroom closet by Mount Olive police who have charged Lashawn McCullen, 27, 108 E. Kornegay St., in connection with the theft of the weapon.
He faces charges of possession of a stolen firearm, failure to store a firearm to protect a minor and second-degree trespass.
On Aug. 30, Kevin Lavon Oates of 223 Franklin St. told police that someone had broken into his home and had taken a Century Arms 7.62x39-AK-47 assault rifle with a 75-round magazine.
Following an investigation, police received a tip that the stolen firearm was located at 214 Daly Blvd.
Police searched the apartment and found the firearm inside a child's bedroom closet. The weapon had a fully loaded drum magazine that was not secured, police said.
Two children, ages 7 and 9, live in the apartment, police said.
During this investigation, officers learned that McCullen had previously been banned from the property by the apartment complex management.
McCullen, who was at the scene, was arrested and taken to the Wayne County magistrate's office where he was jailed under a $20,000 secured bond.
Police are asking that anyone who has information about the case, or any other cases, call police at 919-658-5031 or Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 919-731-2255.