Hamilton police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down a pump-action shotgun that was stolen from a car parked near Bernie Arbour Stadium on Upper Kenilworth around 3 p.m. Sunday.

Hamilton police Det.-Const. Scott Moore said the unloaded .20-gauge shotgun belonged to a citizen who was visiting a friend in the area. The firearm was in a case with a trigger lock on it and was stored in the rear cargo area of the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, away from public view.

“It was a registered firearm and it was stored properly,” Det. Const. Moore said.

Police believe thieves broke into the car because they spotted a GPS unit in the back seat and found the rifle case as they were going through the vehicle.

“We’d like to get that (firearm) off the street,” Det.-Const. Moore said.

Anyone with information about the break-in or whereabouts of the shotgun is asked to contact Det.-Const. Moore at 905-546-2389 or Crime Stoppers at 905-222-8477.