BOLO (Be On the Look Out):

Laser Cannon

Denton (Texas) police have stepped up their search for a high-powered laser cannon used to align railroad tracks.

The 2-foot-long laser, valued at $12,000, was taken sometime between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday from the bed of a Kansas City Southern Rail pickup parked off Jim Christal Road in west Denton, police spokesman Ryan Grelle said.

As a precaution, police informed federal authorities about the laser’s disappearance.

“We alerted the FBI and the FAA because of the concern that it could potentially be used to blind pilots,” Grelle said.

Pen-sized laser pointers available at office supply stores and elsewhere have been blamed for mischief on the ground but are considered too weak to affect a pilot when shined into a cockpit.

The laser cannon, on the other hand, is far more powerful and has a longer range.

So far, investigators have no suspects or leads.

Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to call Denton police at 940-349-8181.