Thief snatches officer’s uniform, badge, handgun

Published 9:23 pm Thursday, December 29, 2011

TACOMA — A thief broke into an off-duty Auburn police officer’s personal vehicle while it was parked in downtown Tacoma, stealing the officer’s uniform, badge and personal handgun.

Auburn police Cmdr. Mike Hirman said the prowler broke a window in the officer’s car and grabbed a gym bag containing the items. The unidentified officer was meeting his wife for dinner.

Tacoma police are investigating the Wednesday night theft.

Auburn police have policies against leaving service weapons in private vehicles, but Hirman said that rule doesn’t apply because the stolen gun was a personal firearm. He noted the car was locked and the bag was not in view, so the officer did not break any department policies.