A similar tactical vest and helmet (Courtesy/Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
An AR-15 style rifle, tactical vest and gas mask were among the equipment reported stolen Wednesday from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office employee’s personal vehicle, the agency said Wednesday evening.
The sheriff’s office said in a news release that the off-duty employee Wednesday morning found their personal vehicle had been broken into overnight in southeast Salem.
Items stolen included equipment belonging to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s SWAT team, such as a green tactical vest with helmet, portable police radio, gas mask, black semi-automatic “AR-15 style rifle w/ optic,” and pistol magazines with ammunition and a medic kit, according to the statement.
The sheriff’s office said the incident was reported to the Salem Police Department because it occurred in Salem.
“It is humbling to share about incidents such as this, however, we are absolutely committed to being transparent with our community and engaging their assistance by soliciting tips that may help us recover the stolen equipment,” Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast said in the statement. “We will be conducting an internal review of the incident to determine if there were violations of policy or procedures.”
The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to call the Salem Police Department Tips Line at 503-588-8477 or submit their tip by texting TIPMCSO and their tip to 847411.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
