Authorities are on the hunt for two suspects who allegedly broke into a locked U.S. Forest Service fire engine and stole critical equipment from crews stationed in the Inland Empire last week. The theft occurred as firefighters were on high alert during one of the many Santa Ana wind events impacting Southern California.
The crew, part of the San Bernardino National Forest Engine No. 336, had positioned their truck behind a Hilton Inn Express & Suites on Milliken Avenue near Fourth Street, preparing for potential wildfire deployments in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. At around 3 a.m., surveillance footage shows two men driving a red two-door Jeep Wrangler entering the parking lot. They forcibly opened three locked compartments on the fire engine, stealing bolt cutters from one of them.
After the theft, the suspects fled the scene in the Jeep, which had a license plate starting with the number “6.” The entire incident was captured on the hotel’s security camera, providing crucial evidence for detectives as they continue their search.
The first suspect is described as a man between 5-foot-7 and 6 feet tall, with a large build and a thin mustache. He was seen wearing a black knit hat, a red jacket with yellow trim on the shoulders and sides, and blue pants.
The second suspect is a man of similar height, around 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, with a husky build. He wore a blue baseball cap with a white logo, a blue long-sleeve shirt, and baggy jeans.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact investigators at (909) 659-5755. The theft of this essential firefighting gear could have serious consequences during this crucial fire season, and finding these suspects is a top priority for the U.S. Forest Service.
