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Off-Duty Officer's Service Weapon Stolen During Assault In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- One of New York's finest was rushed to the hospital after a group of men attacked him and stole his service weapon early Sunday morning in the Bronx.

Police said the off-duty officer was leaving a fundraiser on Carter Avenue in the Mount Hope section just before 3 a.m. when a group of four Hispanic men came up from behind him and struck him over the head with a bottle, knocking him out.

As he regained consciousness, he saw one of the men take his Glock 26. All four of the suspects ran away before he could stop them.

"That's scary because the kids are around and you don't know what that person's intentions are with the gun," Irianis Cortorreal told CBS2's Ali Bauman. 

Authorities say a nearby witness called 911.

The 25-year-old officer, who had been with the force since October 2016, was taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital in stable condition with deep cuts to his neck and head. He's expected to fully recover.

Residents of the Mount Hope community said they're concerned the officer's weapon may now be in the wrong hands.

"He's a police officer, he knows the crime rate in this neighborhood. And to be walking around by himself, it can happen to anybody," said Denise LaBorde.

"I hope they do find it, because that's another gun in the street," Juan Cortes said.

Police apprehended a 27-year-old man in connection to the assault, but haven't charged him as of late Sunday.

The search continues for the officer's service weapon and additional suspects.

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