WARREN POLICE Detective's procedure on guns questioned

The woman said the detective told her he wanted the gun for his father.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The police department's internal affairs division is investigating the procedure used by a detective who reportedly had a patrol officer give him two guns that should have been kept in the department's evidence room.
Lt. Joseph Marhulik is trying to determine if Detective Dewey Gray paid the owner about $20 for the guns that may be worth much more.
"I'm in the process of interviewing officers who were witnesses to part of this," Marhulik said.
Gray, a 14-year department veteran, declined to comment.
"This concerns me very much," said Fred Harris, safety-service director. "I want a complete report as soon as possible."
Marhulik said he began investigating the matter Oct. 1.
"We are trying to determine if proper [departmental] procedure was followed," Marhulik said.
What report says
According to the police incident report, a woman on Third Street S.W. called police around 1:27 p.m. Sept. 24 and said she had two guns in her home that she did not want.
She asked if police would come and get the .32-caliber revolver and a German Luger handgun, Marhulik said.
With two teenage grandchildren often at her house, Thelma Ruffin said she was afraid to have the guns in her home.
"I didn't want something to happen, because children get curious," Ruffin said. "I'm terrified of guns."
The guns were picked up by Officer Terrence Edington, reports state.
As Edington pulled into the police station lot, he was met by Gray, who told Edington to give him the guns and Edington complied, Marhulik said.
Edington could not be reached.
Proper procedure
When officers collect guns from people, they are to be taken to the station and put in the evidence room, Marhulik said.
That is the procedure, even if the guns were not used in the commission of a crime.
The guns are kept in the evidence room until they are disposed of, officials said.
"There are only two ways we are to get rid of guns in our possession," said city Law Director Greg Hicks. "We can either destroy the guns or sell the guns to a licensed firearm dealer."
Hicks said he does not remember the department ever selling any guns.
The internal investigation is trying to determine why Gray did not put the guns in the evidence room, Marhulik said.
Visited house
Ruffin said Gray came to her house to talk to her about the guns.
"I wasn't selling them, but he offered me $20, so I took it," Ruffin said, noting she has no idea how much the guns may be worth.
"He said he wanted the gun to give to his father," she said of Gray.
According to the "Blue Book of Gun Values," a price guide published by Blue Book Publications, a Luger is worth $750 to $3,500, depending on condition, place and date of manufacture.
Generally, .32-caliber revolvers cost from $50 to $300, according to the price guide.
sinkovich@vindy.com