Police officer arrested for burglary at Disney theme park

Leah Zanolla | Posted: May 2, 2012 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

Charges were filed against an Orange County Sheriff's deputy this week after he was caught breaking into a van. Deputy Kirk Smurawa was on duty in the parking lot at Disney's Hollywood Studios and was seen on a surveillance video breaking into a van and stealing a purse. He was arrested for petit theft of $100 or more and armed robbery, because he had his gun on him at the time. Another officer saw Smurawa take the purse to his own vehicle, and later, throw it under the van. He took $55 from a child's wallet that was in the purse, which was valued at $75.

Sheriff Jerry Demings said, "The Orange County Sheriff Office is no place for thieves or liars. We received some information recently that caused him to come into suspicion." The Sheriff ordered a tactical surveillance operation to be performed on Smurawa. He has since admitted to the incident in question, but it is not known if this has happened in the past.

Smurawa has had his law enforcement credentials revoked and was removed from duty without pay. He had been with the department since April 2002.