Former police station in Christiansted

The Police Department's lax control over guns is an old and enduring problem. Somebody managed to steal five shotguns right out of the Christiansted police station in 1986.

The shotguns were stored in a gun rack behind the front desk. Police procedure was to keep them secured with a chain through their trigger guards, with locks at each end. The keys were kept in a drawer at the desk.

Police investigators believe the guns were taken while the desk officer went to the bathroom.

To reach the guns, a thief had to enter the station, walk 30 feet to his left, pass through a gate, then walk another 30 feet to his right.

Then he would have to find the key, unlock the chain, remove the guns, retrace his steps with five shotguns in hand and escape onto one of the busiest streets in Christiansted.

Or the thief had to have had help from a police officer.

The police investigation of the incident never identified a culprit.

Carlton Wakefield, the officer in charge at the time the guns were stolen, was reprimanded and has since retired from the department.

The shotguns turned up in the cemetery behind the station, hidden apparently for pickup later.