Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Offers Reward For Stolen Gun, Tactical Gear

A Tulsa County Sheriff's Office vehicle was burglarized on Tuesday morning and a the department is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the weapon's return, a news release says.

The burglary happened when a marked TCSO Chevrolet Tahoe was parked near 91st Street and Delaware Avenue between 1 a.m.-7:30 a.m. investigators said.

Among the things stolen were a long-range FN Special Police 308 rifle with a custom tan camouflage paint scheme, a $4,000 pair of night-vision goggles, a laser range finder, cameras and a weather meter.

"It's very dangerous," TCSO Det. Marshall Eldridge said. "I'm not sure what their intentions are, that's why were offering a $2,500 reward."

While the sheriff's office doesn't want the rifle in the wrong hands, it's also concerned it's not in the hands of the SWAT deputy it was assigned to.

"The office can go get him another rifle, but it's just not that simple," TCSO Sgt. Eric Kitch said. "The deputy has put in many hundreds of hours training with that rifle. It's like a piece of him."

Kitch the windows were broken out of the SUV, which was parked at the deputy's apartment complex.

"We're going to be down one person until we can get that deputy equipped and trained back up to perform just like he could with the weapon that was taken," Kitch said.

The department is currently talking with neighbors, pawn shops and gun stores and Eldridge said the rifle also is registered in the national database.

"This would not be a weapon that would be easily pawned," Marshall said.

Each deputy is required to secure their weapon however best they see fit.

Detectives say they're still searching for an assault rifle stolen earlier this year out of another deputy's SUV that was in a steel lock box.

"A very selfish person or persons stole this gun, and it's going to jeopardize somebody's life," Kitch said.

If you have any information about the burglary or the items taken, call TCSO at 918-596-5601 or Eldridge at 918-596-8661.