The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an overnight burglary involving a police officer’s patrol vehicle.

Officials said an unmarked Howey-In-The-Hills police vehicle was broken into in an unincorporated area of Tavares near David Walker Drive.

The suspects busted a window of the SUV and stole a M-16 A2 rifle, four loaded magazines, and two tactical vests with “Police” insignia, a trauma kit and two .45 caliber magazines.

The car had been locked and parked in Lt. Richard Roman's front yard. 

"It is scary, it was an unmarked car so it potentially could have been the thief had no idea it was a police vehicle until they had broken the window and found what was inside," said Sergeant Jim Vachon with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities say the rifle was kept inside a soft case and was stored according to agency policy.

Roman has been employed with the Sheriff's Office since August 1999. 

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call (352) 343-2101.