COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thieves are targeting first responders. Law enforcement says in the last three months, about a half-dozen fire stations have been hit by criminals breaking into firefighter's personal cars.
“I would say it is pretty obvious that someone is targeting firefighters vehicles,” said Prairie Township Fire Chief Al Scott.
Surveillance video from Prairie Township Fire Station on Oct. 22 around 3:30 a.m. shows a suspect park across the road. He then goes from vehicle to vehicle checking to see if any aren't locked. He checks vehicles until he finds one he can get into, and drives away in it.
“If that person who stole a vehicle had gotten into an accident two blocks down the road and wrecked it, there's a good chance the guy who owned the vehicle would be responding to help the guy who stole his vehicle. It's kind of ironic,” Scott said.
In addition to the truck, the thieves also got thousands of dollars worth of tools.
Scott says this isn't the first time it has happened and he's frustrated.
“It struck me as ironic that generally the public has a high level of trust in firefighters. Our folks can show up in front of someone's house with their sick or dying baby and never think twice about it. I think sometimes feel that same level of trust towards the community,” Scott said.
According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, it is likely the same thieves left that fire station, and then went to Columbus Fire Station 26th on Fisher Road.
Firefighters called the Columbus Division of Police to report several of their personal cars had been broken into.
Harlem Township and Liberty Township Fire Departments in Delaware County both had thefts in the same night.
At Harlem Township, the suspects stole a Ruger 357 from a truck and thousands of dollars of Craftsman tools.
At the Liberty Township fire station, a thief stole a .38 Special revolver handgun from a vehicle.
“It is a little nerve-wrecking, it is shocking. These guys are coming into work, wanting to help people in the public only to potentially be victims based on these car break-ins occurring while they are out doing their duties,” said Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert.
Gilbert says a letter was mailed out warning all fire chiefs, and police chiefs in the area of the thefts.
Scott says if the thieves just asked for help, they may get more than through stealing.
“If they need help and they need things, all they have to do is ring the doorbell and come inside and our guys would be more than happy to help them with a lot of things they might not expect,” Scott said.
So far there haven't been any arrests, but the Franklin County Sheriff's Office asks anyone to call them if you recognize the suspect.