ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates uncovered new information on how a suspected killer was able to get his hands on a deputy's weapons while in handcuffs.
In May, Jose Torres broke through the partition in an Orange County deputy's patrol car and took two shotguns, authorities said.
An internal investigation shows that it wasn't the deputy's fault, but that tweaks are being made to make sure it does not happen again.
The real issue still seems to still be the partition in the deputy’s SUV.
It was an incident that the sheriff's office said could have had disastrous consequences.
Torres was able to get his hands free and grab two shotguns from the back of the SUV where he was being detained.
“Anyone who grabs a gun, someone loads a gun again, they are looking to do harm to one of our deputies, our law enforcement,” said Capt. Angelo Nieves.
The incident sparked an investigation into policy violations and the partition.
The final report on the incident said that two deputies secured their weapons in the rear cargo area of the SUV.
Torres was in the back seat.
Policy said guns are supposed to be stored in the locking device in the passenger seat, but the deputies thought the back was secure enough.
The agency said the policy was "weak," therefore violations for the deputies were not issued.
Questions remain about the partition, and how Torres was able to manipulate it.
Another internal investigation found the side of the partition near the window had been bent by Torres, and that he pulled the first shotgun out and put a bullet in the chamber.
The report said the partition was able to pivot on bolts, leaving an opening to the back.
The report also said Torres fixed it so nobody would notice.
A deputy who inspected the cage said he did not see it.
The investigation also revealed a possible flaw in the design.
The sheriff’s office has not replied to Channel 9’s question about what is being done to the partition.
Cox Media Group