SWAT Weapons, Uniform Stolen

DALLAS - A thief stole a Dallas SWAT officer's weapons and other items on Wednesday.

The incident happened outside an apartment building on Fitzhugh Avenue, where the sergeant had parked his vehicle for about 5 hours.

Dallas police said someone entered the unmarked Chevrolet Tahoe through the driver's side door and then broke into a heavy-duty safe inside the SUV.

The thief stole several weapons, body armor, uniforms and a badge, officials said.

One rifle, which shoots three bullets with one trigger pull, is valued at $10,000 and could sell for as much as $25,000 on the black market.

Officials said a total of three SWAT vehicles have been burglarized in the past six months. But the most recent marked the first time someone stole all the gear inside the vehicle.

Those who work in SWAT need to have those items in their vehicles so they can quickly respond to crime scenes.

But officials worry that someone could also use the stolen gear to impersonate an officer.

The incidents have prompted the Dallas Police Department to consider installing specialized alarms that would notify dispatch when a vehicle is broken in to.

“We are looking at FBI and DEA, other policy agencies across the state and nation to see what they’re doing,” said Deputy Chief Charlie Cato.

The department wants people to know there is a cash reward being offered to anyone who can lead them to the thief.