Original Article Deputy's gear stolen from car's trunk Matt Dempsey The Arizona Republic Oct. 8, 2005 12:00 AM Thieves stole a gun, body armor and other items from a Maricopa County detention officer's personal vehicle early Friday morning. Officer Alden Jackson, who works as a detention officer on the county's special response team, was parked at 537 E. Camelback Road when his large black duffel bag was stolen out of the locked trunk of his 1992 Honda. The duffel bag contained Jackson's gun, badge, body armor, office ID and sheriff's office T-shirt and pants. The theft occurred between 11:45 p.m. Thursday and 2:20 a.m. Friday while Jackson was off-duty. Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the theft was bound to happen to one of his officers. "We have a high crime rate with automobile thefts," Arpaio said. "No one is immune. It's a wonder they did not steal the car." It's especially dangerous when thieves break into law enforcement officers' vehicles because of the items they carry, he said. "Someone could use the badge and pose as a law-enforcement officer," Arpaio said. Jackson is at least the second officer in the past three months to have his equipment stolen out of a vehicle. Cmdr. Tom Long of the Tempe Police Department had his police equipment and unmarked car stolen Aug. 6. Long's vehicle was left unlocked and running at the end of a driveway. The vehicle was recovered but the gun, uniform, badge and ID were not found. Anyone with information related to the theft can call the sheriff's office at (602) 876-1000 or the Phoenix Police Department at (602) 262-6151.