The video shows the suspects stealing firefighting equipment while responding to a fire in LA
Federal investigators are looking for the suspects, caught on surveillance camera footage, he was allegedly stealing firefighting equipment from a US Forest Service strike team during a storm in Southern California.
US Forest Service officials say the incident happened around 3 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, when thieves attacked firefighters from a strike team responding to “high winds” in Rancho Cucamonga, city of San Bernardino County about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
The team had parked its engine behind the Hilton Hotel when surveillance cameras captured two male suspects pulling up next to the engine and “forcing open” three locked engine compartments and removing basic firefighting equipment, the agency said in a statement.
The two suspects were then seen fleeing with the equipment in a red two-door Jeep Wrangler with a black soft top, yellow seats and a partially visible California license plate beginning with the number “6.”
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Authorities are searching for two men who allegedly broke into a locked US Forest Service fire truck and stole equipment from crews stationed in the Inland Empire last week. (US Forest Service – San Bernardino National Forest)
Officials described the first suspect, who was carrying bolt cutters, as a man between 5-foot and 6-feet tall with a “large build and thin mustache.” He was last seen wearing a black knit cap, a red jacket with yellow trim on the shoulders and sides, and blue pants.
Officials described the second suspect as a man, believed to be about 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 and with a “husky build.” He was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap with an unknown white logo, a blue long-sleeved shirt and baggy jeans.
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Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact USFS Law Enforcement Officer Tyler Smith by email at tyler.smith2@usda.govor contact the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5653.
The theft comes as Southern California continues to struggle devastating fires and strong winds.
FAKE FIRE TRUCK COUPLE BREAKED FOR IMMAKING FIREFIGHTERS NEAR PALISADES FIRE IN LOS ANGELES: SHERIFF
Person arrested for impersonating firefighter in Palisades Fire Evacuation Area. He and another person were spotted on mopeds in the evacuation zone. (Eric Fox/ Fox’s first photo of the scene)
Authorities have arrested several people in recent weeks who played firemen or pretending to be members of the media in order to enter the fire zone.
“These arrests underscore the strength of our partnership with LASD as we work together to secure and protect communities affected by wildfires,” the CHP said in a previous statement.
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“Criminal activities such as illegal entry into evacuation zones, forgery of press passes and looting will not be tolerated.”
Fox News’ Mollie Markowitz contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and story ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
