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An AR-15 stolen from a parked vehicle in Paradise Valley last week belonged to the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, a sheriff’s spokesman said Thursday.

Prosecutors say Brendon Brimmer, 18, last week planned the theft of the rifle, at least one pistol and two ballistic vests from parked vehicles. His alleged co-conspirators, who are 15 and 17, had not been charged in the case by Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators recovered the weapons and vests last week.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Aaron Shatto, who also serves as a spokesman for the agency, confirmed Thursday that the rifle belonged to the agency. He said a deputy left the gun in a sheriff’s office vehicle that is used for travelling long distances, which — unlike its patrol trucks — does not have a secured compartment for storing weapons.

“We admit the deputy made a mistake and it was addressed,” Shatto said, without offering details. He said the agency was pleased law enforcement had recovered the rifle.