ALLIANCE, Neb. — A juvenile is in custody following the recovery of a stolen, fully loaded handgun in Alliance on Friday afternoon, according to a press release from the Alliance Police Department.

Officers were dispatched at 12:22 p.m. on April 4 after a local resident reported that a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun was missing from their vehicle. The citizen told police they had given a juvenile a ride to a local apartment complex approximately two weeks earlier. Upon a recent inspection of their pickup, they discovered the firearm—previously stored under the rear seat—was gone.

Following the report, Sgt. LaDuke, School Resource Officer Sherlock, and Officer Gomez initiated an investigation that led them to the juvenile’s residence. With consent from both the juvenile and the homeowner, officers conducted a search of the bedroom and located the missing handgun under the juvenile’s bed. The weapon matched the description provided by the owner and was confirmed to be the stolen firearm.

The juvenile was taken into custody without incident and transported to a juvenile detention facility in Norfolk. Charges related to theft and unlawful possession of a firearm are pending.

The Alliance Police Department used the opportunity to remind the public about safe firearm storage practices, urging gun owners to store firearms in locked containers, use trigger or cable locks, and keep ammunition stored separately.

For firearm safety resources or information, residents can contact the Alliance Police Department at (308) 762-4955 or email comments@bbcpublicsafety.us.