Published: November 16, 2009 11:14 pm      

Cresson Township chief seeking to dispose of weapons collection

CRESSON — As many as two dozen rifles and handguns are taking up space in the evidence locker of the Cresson Township Police Department and Chief Chris Sweet would like to be rid of them.

“They’ve been there since before my time,” said Sweet, a longtime township officer who took over as chief three years ago.

“Some are in good shape, some are pretty bad,” he said.

All are believed to have been confiscated as evidence in long past criminal cases and no one ever took the time to sort them out.

Township Solicitor Gerald Neugebauer told Sweet to compile a list of the artillery, and he will seek court approval for disposal.

Sweet is hopeful he can sell the guns to an area dealer and generate a little money for the police department.

Cambria County District Attorney Patrick Kiniry said Monday it is not uncommon for police departments to occasionally seek court approval to get rid of old guns.

“I am in the processing of petitioning the court for the city of Johnstown,” Kiniry said.

The city has a number of guns from criminal cases, some dating back 10 years or more.

As for their fate, there are options.

“Most of the time they must be destroyed, but we can look at the circumstances and make decisions on a case by case basis,” Kiniry said.