Missing Sheriff’s Shotgun Found Destroyed On Road

Posted on: 11:14 am, January 21, 2013, by Larry Henry, updated on: 04:12pm, January 21, 2013

A Benton County Sheriff’s Office shotgun missing since Wednesday was found Saturday in Bella Vista on the side of the road, authorities said.

A 13-year-old boy and his grandfather discovered the shotgun and turned in to a local gun shop, said Major Rob Holly. Someone at the gun shop contacted authorities.

The custom Remington 870 shotgun was broken in half and looked like it had been run over, Holly said.

“It was pretty much mutilated,” he said.

The shotgun, worth $800 because of its modifications, has a pistol grip and collapsible stock, among other features.

Part-time Deputy Mark Heiner was fired last week after losing the shotgun following a Sheriff’s Office inventory meeting Wednesday night. After leaving the meeting, Heiner placed the gun on the hood of his car while loading other inventory into his vehicle, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Heiner then drove off, with the gun still on his hood.

Authorities believe someone picked up the shotgun. Deputies searched the area in front of the Sheriff’s Office, but could not locate the missing property.