DMV equipment stolen in Las Vegas recovered

Metro police in Las Vegas have recovered driver's license equipment stolen from a Department of Motor Vehicles office in March.

DMV Director Ginny Lewis said her staff is examining the equipment and computers taken from the Donovan Office to determine whether the thieves were able to access the personal data the machines contain. She said that answer will be made public as soon as possible.

"The theft was a hard lesson for us, and we've done what we can to ensure something like that will never happen again," she said.

The office was broken into March 7, and equipment including computers and the driver's license-making equipment were taken.

Metro police found the equipment and supplies on the roof of a building at Industrial and Warm Springs Roads this week. Federal agents got involved in the investigation, along with local and state agencies, because of concerns the equipment could be used to make high-quality false identification cards.

Phil Masto of the U.S. Secret Service said investigators got a tip that helped locate the equipment. He said no arrests have been made at this point, and the investigation is continuing.

n Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.