KEY CENTER, Wash. — On Thursday, thieves broke into several Key Peninsula Fire Department vehicles at the headquarters in Key Center. Security cameras recorded two people as they stole $30,000 worth of equipment and gear.
"Four utility rigs were broken into. We lost structural protection gear, water rescue gear, an SCBA pack, and some electronics," Anne Nesbit, the fire department's public information officer, said.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Department is investigating.
"Hopefully, if someone comes across something that looks fire-related, you report it to the sheriff's department. I don't think you're going to be able to pawn any of these items," Sgt. Darren Moss with PCSD said. "It's kind of weird someone would do this but it's also concerning because this is lifesaving equipment that the taxpayers have paid for."
Sgt. Moss said the firefighters and public are put in danger when someone decides to steal this type of gear.
"We're talking about life or death if these fire fighters don't have their equipment. Not just to protect themselves, but to go in and rescue other people," Sgt. Moss said. "This is the public's property. The public needs their firefighters to have their equipment."
Anyone with information that can help solve this case is urged to get in touch with Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Key Center resident Grant Kirkpatrick was frustrated to hear about the theft.
"Respect more of one another and the community itself," Kirkpatrick said in a message for the thieves.