News

Actions

MCSO detention officer has gun, ammo and uniform stolen

Posted at 7:14 PM, Jul 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-13 22:16:28-04

An Arizona sheriff's employee has some explaining to do after his gun and uniform were stolen along with his personal truck.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office detention officer was eating at an Applebee's restaurant late Tuesday night at 51st Avenue and Baseline Road. When he left the restaurant, his 2002 white Ford F250 was gone from the parking lot, according to police.

The officer, who has not been identified, had left his uniform shirt, without the badge, his personal handgun, and 100 rounds of ammo inside the truck.

By early morning Wednesday, police dispatchers urged officers on duty to be on the lookout for the stolen vehicle, hoping to recover the police gear. The truck was still missing Thursday afternoon. It's not known whether the thieves specifically targeted the detention officer's truck.

A sheriff's spokesman says supervisors are looking to see if policies were violated. MCSO says it frequently reminds staff to properly secure uniforms and weapons at all times.

Sometimes stolen police equipment will be used in new crimes. In the last year, ABC15 reported on at least four arizona police impersonators. These cases can make citizens more skeptical of identity of real police officers.