Police return Drew's guns -- to his son
Complying with a court order, State Police investigators Wednesday returned eight guns seized last year from Drew Peterson's home -- but not to Peterson.
The collection of rifles, pistols and shotguns instead was turned over to Peterson's son, Stephen, an Oak Brook Police officer, as part of the agreement that ended a long legal battle over the weapons.
(Courtesy/STNG)
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Drew Peterson, who has been named a suspect in the Oct. 28 disappearance of his fourth wife, said he was pleased to have the firearms back in the family.
"They're family guns. Steve should have them instead of the State Police," said Peterson, himself, a former Bolingbrook Police officer.
The guns were taken by investigators searching Peterson's home last November in the days after 23-year-old Stacy Peterson vanished.
But Peterson in December moved to reclaim the weapons, arguing he shouldn't be deprived of his property, particularly since he hasn't been charged in his fourth wife's disappearance, or the 2004 drowning death of his third wife, which also is under police investigation. His attorney estimated the value of the weapons at about $10,000.
A Will County judge in February sided with Peterson, ordering the guns returned, along with two of Peterson's cars and other property taken during searches of his home.
But State Police revoked Peterson's firearm owners identification card, blocking the return of the guns.
Peterson agreed to allow the weapons to go to his son -- and Judge Richard Schoenstedt last week ordered the firearms be released to Stephen Peterson.
Drew Peterson, though, still faces a felony weapons offense for allegedly owning an AR-15 assault rifle that has an illegally short barrel. That weapon was not one of the eight released to his son.