If it even was an AK. Knowing the "professionalism" of your average "journalist" nowadays, it could have been a Ruger 10/22.
And I agree -- if you ever see an AK-47 laying there "on the street", please FReepmail me and I'll run over and pick it up.
Besides, when a criminal uses a weapon, it doesn't matter if it a BB gun, an AK-47 or even a tank...it is really a moot point.
My experience is that half the cops wouldn't know an AK if they saw one.