It’s a new level of theft, and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the person who stole a Denver Broncos team helmet without fear of being busted.

“The theft is so brazen,” said Julie Brooks, spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. “It was in front of hundreds of people, right next to the (Broncos) player who put the helmet down. People were interacting and he took advantage of the distraction. It wasn’t on a table out of the way, with no one looking.”

The theft happened about 3:15 p.m. July 31 during an autograph-signing session after Broncos practice.

The helmet — a Riddell Revolution Speed Classic clearly marked with the Denver Broncos logo and valued at more than $400 — was sitting on the ground next to the player, who hasn’t been identified.

The man who took the helmet wasn’t trying to blend into the crowd — according to photos obtained by investigators, he carried a bright orange hat, and then passed the helmet to a second man wearing an “18” jersey. They left together and appeared to be a family.

Anyone with information about the crime or the identification of these men is asked to contact the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 720-874-8477 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).