Sheriff's Department missing rifle found on the road

6:50 p.m. UPDATE:  The weapon was found and returned to the Wood County Sheriff's Department.

VESPER, Wis. (WSAU) -- Wood County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a missing rifle on the roadway. Lieutenant Shawn Becker says one of the department’s deputies mislaid an AR15 department rifle on the trunk of the squad car and drove off.

The weapon is still in a black case, and is in the Vesper area. Becker says the deputy traveled Highway 186 to Highway HH, then County Highway F towards Wisconsin Rapids.

Beckers is asking anyone that finds it to contact the Sheriff’s Department. He’s also asking parents to counsel their children about what to do if they locate the weapon.

Wood County’s Dispatch number is 715-421-8701.