OLYMPIA, Wash. -- State troopers are warning the public about thieves who may try to impersonate a trooper after stealing a cache of weapons and equipment.

The guns and equipment were taken from a trooper's unmarked patrol car on Saturday, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Sgt. Freddy Williams said the trooper, who is a member of the SWAT team, was on Capitol security duty for the ongoing legislative session when someone broke into his trunk and stole a lock box and a gym bag.

Williams said the hard-sided box contained several weapons, including a fully-automatic 5.56-caliber Colt M4 rife and a .40-caliber H&K tactical pistol, as well as ammunition for the weapons.

Also stolen were a hand-held radio, night vision goggles, flash/diversion grenades, a helmet and black body armor-type tactical vests with "police" written on the body and "WSP" printed on the sleeve, Williams said.

The trooper, who began his shift on the Capitol campus at 2:30 p.m. Friday, noticed the box was missing after heading home at about 11:45 p.m.

Williams said the trooper's car was locked the entire time, and it is believed that the thieves picked the trunk lock.

Investigators said the thieves left behind no obvious signs of a break-in. However, detectives have recovered some fingerprints.

Anyone suspicious of someone wearing a "police" vest is urged to call 911, as dispatchers would be aware of any official and ongoing police activity.

"Somebody could take action against somebody. You know, that's a lot of firepower and a lot of protection. We just don't know who stole it. We don't know why they stole it," said Williams said.

Anyone with additional information on the case is urged to contact Det. George Mars at (360) 340-0512.