Deputy accused of Disney theft bonds out of jail

An Orange County deputy who was arrested on charges of armed burglary after allegedly breaking into a car parked at Disney has bonded out of jail.

Deputy Kirk Smurawa bonded out of jail Wednesday night after his arrest on charges of armed burglary and petit theft of $100 or more.

Smurawa was caught on a surveillance camera breaking into a car and taking a purse that was inside while on duty at Disney Hollywood Studios' parking lot, investigators said.

Smurawa was silent as he bonded out of jail Wednesday night.

"Kirk, how could you steal from children? Why did you steal from children?" WFTV's Renee Stoll asked.

Because Smurawa was in uniform and carrying his gun, he will not just face burglary charges, but armed burglary charges.

"The Orange County Sheriff Office is no place for thieves or liars," said Sheriff Jerry Demings.

Deputies said they got a tip about him breaking into cars, so they set up a sting operation where they caught him breaking into the cars on camera.

Reports show that Smurawa opened the door to a minivan, took out a purse, and stole $55 from two wallets inside that belonged to children.

"To take from children, that's lower than low," said tourist Christopher Wilson. "It sounds more like he is protecting himself, you know, looking out for his own interests versus everyone else's."

The now suspended deputy wouldn't confess to cameras, but reports show he did confess to his fellow deputies after he was arrested.

"How do you tell a kid this officer is supposed to protect you and yet he takes from you? There's something wrong with that," said tourist David Theys.

Smurawa has been relieved of duty without pay and his law enforcement credentials have also been revoked until the sheriff's office finishes its investigation.

Demings said there's no telling how many times Smurawa may have robbed Disney World visitors in the past.

"It's a sad day whenever we have to arrest a law enforcement officer," Demings said. "He should be fired."

Smurawa has been with the Orange County Sheriff's Office since April 2002.