KILLINGWORTH, Conn. (WTNH) – Connecticut State Police are investigating a break-in at a volunteer fire station in Killingworth.
State police tell News 8 that Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company’s Station 2 was broken into through a back door sometime between Sunday night and Monday night.
The person or persons responsible for the incident stole more than $15,000 worth of electronic equipment.
“The equipment that was stolen was unique to the fire service,” said Fire Chief Dick Bauer. “It’s not something that you would normally expect would be stolen…it really has no practical use outside of the fire service. That’s concerning to us – why that would be gone and what they’re going to do with it.”
The thieves left behind other valuable equipment, including GPS units and chain saws. The stolen equipment is covered by the fire department’s insurance. Killingworth firefighters are now borrowing gear from other departments until they can replace theirs. The theft never stopped their service, but if they hadn’t realized during a routine equipment check that some of their gear was missing, things could have been very different.
“Had there been an incident and we needed this equipment and not realized it was gone in that time before it was checked by the officer, that could have affected our ability to operate at the scene,” said Bauer.
Firefighters say there are no suspects yet and they’re hoping this won’t happen to other departments. They are now increasing security at the station. Even though the thieves left a lot of equipment behind, the theft has been tough for the department.
“Still the disruption, getting people to fix the building, the time to replace the equipment is going to be a hardship on us,” said Bauer.
If you have any information you are asked to call Connecticut State Police Troop F at (860) 399-2100.
