DALLAS, Texas - A traffic stop involving a car traveling the wrong way without headlights in downtown Dallas led officers to discover the vehicle belonged to a Dallas College police sergeant and contained a large cache of police equipment, including body armor and approximately 500 rounds of duty ammunition.
Dallas Police said Central Business Division officers spotted a white Dodge Charger at approximately 2:10 a.m. on Aug. 10 traveling the wrong direction on a one-way street with its headlights off.
When officers approached the driver, they noticed he was sweating profusely and appeared unable to operate the vehicle's headlights.
Officers also noticed police equipment in plain view inside the Charger, including uniforms, emergency lights, gear and a dash camera.
Police said the driver was known to officers from previous contacts in the area. Officers also determined he was not the vehicle's registered owner.
He was initially taken into custody for multiple traffic violations.
Police Badge, Body Armor and Ammunition Found
During an inventory search of the Charger, officers discovered what police described as a significant amount of law enforcement property.
The items included a police badge, multiple police-issued shirts, several bulletproof vests, approximately 500 rounds of duty ammunition and other official equipment.
Police said the recovered property bore the name of the vehicle's registered owner.
Investigators determined the Charger belonged to a Dallas College Police Department sergeant. Officers contacted the sergeant, who told investigators he had not realized his vehicle was missing.
Video footage reviewed during the investigation allegedly showed the suspect entering the Charger approximately one hour before officers stopped him.
The driver was subsequently charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, along with the traffic violations that prompted the initial stop.
Police did not identify the arrested driver in the information released.
All of the recovered police property was returned to the Dallas College police sergeant at the scene.
“What began as a routine traffic stop became a prime example of how attention to detail can prevent further crime,” Dallas Police Assistant Chief Teena Schultz said.
The investigation remains ongoing and is documented under case number 116802-2026.
