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DeLand Authorities Notify Homeland Security About Missing Truck

POSTED: 12:30 p.m. EST December 31, 2003

DELAND, Fla. -- Volusia County law enforcement authorities have notified the Department of Homeland Security that a state-owned dump truck has been stolen.

The report was made to the federal agency because of the heightened threat level, Lt. Richard Gaylord, a spokesman for the DeLand Police Department, said Wednesday.

One possible fear is that if terrorists stole the truck (pictured, left) and packed it with explosives, they would be able to get past a building's security guards without scrutiny because of its state markings.

Detectives said someone broke into the DOT facility over the weekend, jumped into a large asphalt pavement repair truck and plowed through the gates. A supervisor made the discovery of the missing truck Sunday.

With the country on high terror alert, local authorities said they are not taking any chances and immediately notified security officials in Tallahassee.

"Any large vehicle like that could have Homeland Security implications, but there are other possibilities as well," Gaylord said. "It could be kids joyriding in it. It could be stolen for financial gain to be used on the black market. At this point, we can't speculate on the exact reason."

The 1995 Ford truck has the Department of Transportation emblem on both sides of the vehicle and the tag number 23963.