The Department of Homeland Security is using Russian-made equipment?
Normal procedure to leave a handgun in a sheriff's vehicle?

Gear taken from another lawman's truck

Theft is third from law enforcement vehicle this year
By Jason Gibbs Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 04/17/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT


LAS CRUCES — Another bulletproof vest and some government-issued equipment have gone missing from a government vehicle in Las Cruces.

An employee of the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Homeland Security called Las Cruces police about 10 a.m. Tuesday to report his work vehicle had been burglarized. It was reportedly parked in the driveway of a home on the city's East Mesa.

Local police are asking the public to keep an eye out for the stolen items, which include a Russian-made night vision scope, a collapsible baton, a set of Smith & Wesson leg shackles and a bulletproof vest, according to police reports. The words "Force One" and "Police" are printed in large block letters on the front and back of the bulletproof vest stolen Tuesday.

According to reports, the DHS employee told police he may have inadvertently hit the remote unlock button on his keychain, accidentally leaving the vehicle unsecured. No guns were reported taken, according to police.

The burglary likely happened between 11 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The theft marks the third time this year a law enforcement vehicle has been burglarized at a private home and bulletproof vests stolen. A tactical vest and a handgun were stolen from an unmarked Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department vehicle in February. A .40-caliber, semi-automatic handgun and a vest with the word "Police" on the front have been recovered in that incident, according to Undersherrif Chuck Franco.

However, a bulletproof vest stolen from an unmarked vehicle on Jan. 18 remains unaccounted for, and the sheriff's department has offered a reward for information leading to its return. No weapons were taken during the January auto burglary, Franco said. Anyone with information is asked to call (575) 526-0795 or (575) 525-1911.

The vests cost roughly $900 each, Franco said.

County spokesman Jess Williams said the financial losses to the county are covered by insurance, but the real issue is keeping stolen law enforcement equipment out of the hands of criminals.

Police on Tuesday were able to retrieve papers from the DHS employee's vehicle to process for evidence, including fingerprints.

The OIG is an administrative and investigative arm of the DHS, targeting such activities as fraud, abuse, mismanagement and waste.


Jason Gibbs can be reached at jgibbs@lcsun-news.com

http://www.lcsun-news.com/news/ci_8953285