A S.W.A.T. team member turns victim after someone broke into his undercover vehicle, getting away with some heavy artillery.
It happened earlier this week at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach.
Staff at the church say the Deputy was attending a funeral service when someone broke into his vehicle.
The haul:
AR-15 assault rifle
5 magazines of ammunition
TAC vest
PBSO badge
PBSO ID card
PBSO says it was unlucky but not a violation of procedure
"His vehicle was locked. His equipment inside was locked. Therefore he became a victim of a crime," said Teri Barbera with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office agrees having that type of equipment fall into the wrong hands is dangerous. But they say the deputy did nothing wrong by leaving it in his vehicle and will not be disciplined.
"They can be called out at any given time as this officer is attending his grandfather's funeral he can be called out to a S.W.A.T. call. He has to be equipped at all times," Barbera said.
They say all they can do now is find the thief and his loot before anyone gets hurt.
Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS if you have any information.
