Authorities searching for stolen Montebello police vehicle

MONTEBELLO, Calif. (FOX 11) - Montebello police are looking for one of their black and white vehicles that was stolen right off their lot last week.

The car had been driven by authorized personnel on Thursday, May 16 and was locked then parked on the public section of the police department's lot near Victoria Avenue.

Surveillance video showed that around 2:30 a.m. a possible male suspect broke into the 2018 Ford Explorer and drove it off the lot.

Sergeant Marc Marty told FOX 11 reporter Leah Uko this was the first time this type of theft occurred at their station.

"It's very bold. It is. And it's unusual and it's concerning," Marty said. "We don't know how he drove away with the vehicle, but it only took him about 10 seconds to do so."

The vehicle wasn't assigned to anyone until the following Tuesday, May 21. It was at the moment officers noticed the vehicle was not parked in the lot.

What is most concerning is that there were weapons inside the vehicle. An AR-15 rifle, Remington shotgun and less lethal beanbag shotgun were locked in a compartment.

"It's been at least four days now, so if someone had enough time, I think four days is long enough," Sgt. Marty said. "It's a good chance someone may have been able to get those guns out of the -- of their locked compartments, unfortunately."

The vehicle is designated as "Unit 9" and has a California license plate that reads ‪1429238‬.

"Montebello Police" appears on both sides and the read and it has an overhead light bar. Police are looking into GPS tracking to find the vehicle.

"‪At this point we're reviewing our current policies with where we park our police vehicles. And so uh, you probably won't see many police vehicles parked out to the front of the station for the next couple of days," said Marty.‬

The vehicle has been entered into the stolen vehicle system. Investigators are asking that anyone with information that would assist investigators with locating this vehicle to please call the Montebello Police Department at 323 887-1313. If the vehicle is seen parked or moving; callers are urged to dial 911.

Callers wishing to remain Anonymous with information, may call "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477, or use a smartphone by downloading the "P3 Tips" mobile app on the Apple or Google Play Store or by using the website, http://www.lacrimestoppers.org.