Marines at Camp Lejeune have amassed a search operation for two missing rifles that are rumored to have been stolen by a passing car.
2nd Marine Division spokesman 1st Lt. Dan Linfante confirmed to Marine Corps Times – who first reported the incident – on Friday that “Marines are, and have been, actively searching for these weapons, which went missing in a training area aboard Camp Lejeune.”
“Accountability is key ― and trained to often ― in 2d Marine Division,” Linfante added.
A Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation has begun into the incident. Due to the investigation, Linfante would not disclose any further details of the missing weapons or how they became missing.
“NCIS is conducting an active investigation at this time,” Linfante said. “As such, further comment would be speculative.”
The Marines are with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines.
Rumors were swirling on social media Friday morning that the rifles went missing after a vehicle stopped on the side of the road and swiped the rifles from Marines’ packs in a field.
Others said Marines’ holiday leave was being canceled in order to continue the search effort.
Linfante told Task & Purpose that those rumors were not true, however.
“This is not a factor. They will not be denied leave because of this incident,” he told Task & Purpose.
