An assault rifle stolen from an unmarked San Francisco police car late Saturday night has been recovered, police said Monday night.

Police have released few details about how or where the rifle was recovered, but said that its recovery was announced quickly because of the threat to public safety created by its theft.

The AR-15 rifle was stolen when the car was parked and locked while officers worked in the South of Market neighborhood Saturday night. Unknown suspects broke in to the car and stole the rifle, Sgt. Michael Andraychak said.

The AR-15 is a type of rifle issued to specially trained officers so that they are available for rapid deployment during incidents such as a barricaded suspect, Andraychak said.