Police contact man sought in rifles theft, though firearms still missing

Juneau police have contacted the suspect in the investigation of two rifles recently stolen at the airport, but the firearms are still missing.

According to a police news release, officers contacted the man sought in the theft of the guns on Nov. 16.

“The suspect was interviewed and it was determined that further investigation was prudent,” police spokeswoman Erann Kalwara said via email.

Authorities said an unidentified man caught on security cameras stole two Remington Model 700 rifles, worth a total of $2,000, at the Juneau International Airport.

A 71-year-old briefly left the rifles in cloth cases leaning against an airport bench on Oct. 27, according to a police news release. He left the firearms unattended while he moved his belongings further down the curb to load into his vehicle.

When he returned to retrieve the rifles, they were gone, the release said.

A Remington Model 700 .35 Whelen and a Remington Model 700 .30-06 were valued at $1,000 apiece. Both rifles were equipped with slings and Bushnell Banner scopes.

After stealing the guns, police said the suspect left the area on a bicycle with the orange case secured to a rear rack.

Charges have not been filed and no one has been arrested yet.

Contact police at 586-0600 with tips about the missing firearms or the incident.

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