Yes, really. Press release from Dave Silverbrand:

Eureka Police detectives are looking for the thief or thieves who stole a Thompson Sub-machine gun from the Eureka home of local broadcaster Dave Silverbrand. And he is offering a reward for information leading to its recovery.

The gun, an Auto-ordnance Thompson sub-machine gun, is a firing replica of the iconic weapon used by police, gangsters and the military and is highly coveted by collectors.

Silverbrand said the firearm disappeared from his Buhne Street home in July but Eureka Police detectives have just begun to investigate.

Silverbrand bought it from a local gun dealer, Bruce Wagner, 15 years ago because of its value and symbolism as a piece of Americana. He said that the thief or thieves by-passed other items of value. “He or she knew what they were looking for,” said Silverbrand

Silverbrand said a local man recently approached him to buy the gun saying that he had received information from “friends” of its availability.

“I’m not a collector of guns,” said Silverbrand. “I never use them. But I want this one back and I’ll find the person who took it.” If you have any information, call Detective John Luken at 441-4317 or the EPD Detective bureau at 441-4300. Or you can call Silverbrand at KVIQ 443-6666.