More than $6,000 of police equipment was stolen from an unmarked squad car outside a deputy’s home, DeKalb County officials said Tuesday.
Police got a call about the break-in Monday near Young and Panola roads in Lithonia, according to a release from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers found the trunk of the car opened with police equipment missing, including several concealment vests, a tactical vest and a Taser.
A 50-pound SWAT ballistic shield used “to enter potentially dangerous situations where weapons are likely to be used” was also stolen, Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann said.
“We would not want these items to fall into the hands of criminals or to be used against law enforcement representatives,” he said.
But the sheriff’s department’s biggest fear may be potential police impersonators who could use the stolen equipment to illegally arrest others or prevent other deputies from arresting alleged criminals, Mann said.
“So we’re asking the public to let us know if they have information about who may have been involved,” he said.
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