2 Investigators: Burglary Victim Says Cops Ignoring Surveillance Video After Gun Stolen
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A loaded gun was stolen from a Chicago apartment and the suspects caught on surveillance camera. The gun's owner says he tried to get Chicago Police to investigate, but could not.
CBS 2 Investigator Dave Savini has this Original Report.
John Abbamonte says his Canal Street apartment was ransacked by three female thieves. He says evidence is available, yet it is not being collected by police and he is concerned for public safety.
"I had some watches in here, some rings, some cash," said Abbamonte about stolen items.
Thousands of dollars-worth of property was taken, including his legally registered hand gun.
"It was a Desert Eagle. It's a nine millimeter. It was loaded," said Abbamonte. "My biggest concern is just that this gun is out there and who knows what's going to occur with it."
He says the women were caught by elevator surveillance cameras. The first woman can be seen stuffing a laptop into a purse. She holds the doors open as the other two run in and then they transfer the goods to a bigger purse.
Abbamonte's fiancee, who does not want her name used, was home when it happened and chased after them with no luck. However, she says the surveillance footage is good, "Clearly see their faces. It's high definition cameras in the elevators so they do have all three fully on camera with their faces."
It happened in September, and they have been waiting three months for police to view the videos.
The thieves also stole a credit card and used it at gas stations; more surveillance footage never looked at to try and track the suspects or gun.
Police in the 12th District, where they reported the crime, also never sent evidence technicians to the scene.
"This is where I normally keep the loaded nine millimeter," Abbamonte said while showing a mirrored nightstand which was never dusted for fingerprints.
The couple did get a standard form letter in the mail from police about a month after the crime. They say that is all they have received.
"I've called and called and called and nothing," said Abbamonte.
He says he even tried to give police the gun's serial number over the phone, but they hung up on him.
"My biggest fear is somebody's going to get hurt or worse," said Abbamonte. "There's going to be a fatality."
A Chicago Police spokesman said, "Personnel at the Department district should have added the stolen gun to the police report and saying they could not do so was an error on their part. A detective has been reassigned to the case and will be working with the victim to address this issue immediately. Nobody understands the challenge of stolen and illegal guns more than the Chicago Police Department, an issue of the upmost importance as every year our officers recover more illegal guns than any other city.
The response in this matter is not up to the high standards this individual should expect from us, or that we expect from ourselves."
