(La Porte County, IN) - On a cool early November evening, Coolspring Township resident David Werner’s home was burglarized, and his handgun was stolen. Recently, Werner got his gun back, after it turned up during an investigation in southwest Michigan.

 

Not so amazing, except the burglary happened November 5th, 1979—44 years ago. A then-30-year-old Werner returned home to find a dark-colored Ford Mustang leaving his driveway. At the time, Werner told police that he found the home’s rear sliding glass door ajar, his dog let out of her kennel, and several items missing. Among those belongings was a Sentinel Deluxe .22 caliber revolver.

 

On Wednesday, Mr. Werner retrieved his gun from La Porte County Detective Aaron Banic. Last March, it had turned up during the investigation of an incident in Berrien County, Michigan. The serial number entered into a nationwide database years ago eventually led investigators to the rightful owner.

 

The 74-year-old Werner said he had purchased the gun for personal protection after returning home from the war in Vietnam. He told Banic that he thought he’d never see it again and that he "had written it off."

 

According to police, the 1979 burglary is still an open case; no one was ever arrested for the crime. But now at least, Mr. Werner has his trusty nine-shooter back.