Stolen SF police semiautomatic rifle found

A file photo of an AR-15 rifle. San Francisco police are searching for a similar rifle stolen from an police vehicle this past weekend. A file photo of an AR-15 rifle. San Francisco police are searching for a similar rifle stolen from an police vehicle this past weekend. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stolen SF police semiautomatic rifle found 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

(03-04) 23:16 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco police officers have recovered a semiautomatic rifle that was stolen from the trunk of an unmarked police car Saturday night, authorities said.

Police did not immediately release details as to where or how the AR-15 rifle was found.

"As a theft of this rifle was a concern to public safety, Chief Suhr wanted the recovery of this weapon to be announced immediately," said Sgt. Michael Andraychak, a police spokesman.

Someone had broken into the locked car that was parked in the South of Market neighborhood while officers conducted an investigation nearby and made off with the AR-15 rifle, Andraychak said.

The high-powered rifle is similar to a military M-16 and is issued to specially trained officers, Andraychak said.