The Gulfport Police Department says someone removed the wheels from one of its mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles earlier this week, and officers are working to identify and arrest a suspect.
In a social media post, the department said investigators have encountered a roadblock in the probe and asked the public for help. The post urged anyone with information to contact the Gulfport Police Department immediately.
MRAPs are armored vehicles originally developed for military use to protect occupants from explosives and ambushes. Law enforcement agencies across the United States sometimes acquire surplus MRAPs for high-risk responses. Disabling such a vehicle by removing its wheels can affect a department’s ability to use the vehicle for training or emergency operations and raises questions about theft of specialized equipment.
The department’s post included no additional operational details about the investigation or the suspect. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
