The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is purchasing an armored vehicle for its SWAT team.

“It is a critical piece of equipment that will be funded through a federal grant,” said Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department.

The vehicle, which is larger than a Suburban but smaller than a traditional armored vehicle, can be used to get closer to the scene of SWAT operations without putting deputies in jeopardy. The vehicle can be driven on the roads and has the capability to use a battering ram to enter residential or businesses.

“We have never had one before, but with a full time SWAT team, and the number of call outs in the last two years, such an item of equipment is needed,” McDaniel said.

The vehicle, a Lenco BearCat, is a steel structured vehicle that can accommodate six, fully equipped SWAT deputies. The vehicle cost nearly $300,000 and was funded through the federal Urban Area Security Initiative to the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management.

The Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force is also applying for a supplemental grant to begin a bait car program in the county. Under the program, the county would use a new, specially equipped truck to lure thieves in high crime areas. The truck would be outfitted with audio and visual capabilities to monitor the criminals as well as an automatic shut off switch to catch them in the act.

The county is seeking about $36,000 in state funding for the program and should find out by May if the effort will be funded, said Lt. David Moore of the Auto Theft Task Force.

The Auto Theft Task Force, which was established in 1994, assists with cases in Montgomery, Grimes, Walker, San Jacinto and Polk County. Since its inception, the task force has recovered 8,500 vehicles and heavy equipment worth $94 million as well as $3.3 million in parts and accessories.