Secret Service agent's badge, gun and handcuffs stolen from his car

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A Secret Service agent had his gun, badge, handcuffs and a flash drive stolen from his car parked near the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The unnamed agent told police the items were taken from his car when while it was parked on G Street in Northwest D.C., just a few blocks from the White House, at about 4 p.m. on Monday. The agent said he returned to his car and noticed the back window had been "unzipped" and the bag with the items was missing.

The police report states that the agent, who works in the Presidential Protective Division, saw a person reach into his car, but didn't see the person take anything out.

Listed as stolen in the police report: a black Patagonia bag containing a black Sig Sauer handgun, Secret Service badge, handcuffs, an APX6000 radio and a USB flash drive.

It is not known what information the flash drive contains, but a law enforcement official said the USB is encrypted, password protected and doesn't appear to have information damaging to the agency or national security.

The Secret Service would not comment on the incident.

The theft is the latest in string of embarrassments over agent behavior or security breaches for the once-elite agency.

Former agents told the New York Times, the Secret Service hasn't been the same since it was moved from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security. A congressional report earlier this month points to hiring freezes that have left the agency understaffed.