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VALPARAISO — Police said the Russian military rifle that is believed to have been used to kill a 28-year-old man following a Portage road rage incident in December was stolen from a vehicle in Lakes of the Four Seasons.

Portage resident Matthew Richardson, who is charged with murder in the case, now faces an additional count of felony theft.

The theft was discovered when the rifle’s serial number was submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to court documents. The Soviet Union-built Mosin Nagant 7.62 rifle reportedly was stolen overnight on Feb. 23 along with several other rifles, numerous rounds of ammunition and accessories from a vehicle parked in a residential driveway.

Richardson is charged with shooting Joshua Smith, 28, of Lake Station, outside of Richardson’s home in the 5400 block of Mulberry Avenue.

Richardson and Smith got into an altercation Dec. 18 as they were leaving the parking lot of Menards on U.S. 6 in Portage, according to court records. Smith followed Richardson to his home, during which time Richardson contacted two of his brothers who also arrived at the house.