Tear Gas, Body Armor Allegedly Stolen By City Employee

OAKDALE, Calif. (CBS13) -- Authorities are searching for a former city employee who allegedly snatched body armor, tear gas canisters and other items from police storage.

Investigators said they found stolen SWAT gear in the Modesto home of Yuri Pearson, a former public works employee who was arrested earlier this month on accusations of attempted rape.

Oakdale Police Chief Marty West said Pearson gained access to a police raid vest, bullet-resistant body armor, a duty belt and two chemical agent grenades from a locker that was moved during a police station remodeling project.

The last inventory of the locker took place in 2007, when the department's SWAT team was disbanded, authorities said.

"A lot of stuff was moved around. We thought it would show up because it was misplaced," West said. "In an ideal world, we'd assign a security guard to watch. We don't have the funding for it."

The police department said they don't believe there is any more missing equipment.

Pearson bailed out of jail for attempted rape and criminal threats but is now wanted on stolen property and possession of a destructive device charges. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636.