California Firefighters Robbed While on the Job - East Idaho News
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California Firefighters Robbed While on the Job

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Getty 091113 Robbery?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1378936871485Peter Dazeley/Getty Images(WALNUT CREEK, Calif.) — Firefighters from Station No. 7 in Walnut Creek, Calif., received a less-than-grateful welcome home Monday, when they discovered their station had been broken into and many of their belongings taken while they were out fighting the Morgan Fire near Mount Diablo.

“The firefighters came back to the station to settle down, get some rest after a full day on duty,” Steve Aubert, a spokesman for the Costa County Fire Prevention District, told ABC News.

Two wedding rings, watches, cash and more were taken while the crew protected more than 100 structures from the fire, which had grown to 3,700 acres and was 60 percent contained Wednesday, Aubert said.

No arrests had been made and police were still on the hunt for the suspects, Aubert said Wednesday.

A call to Contra Costa County Police was not returned.

Aubert has received numerous calls from nearby citizens lending their support and condolences and even offering to reimburse the firefighters, he said. He added that a jeweler reached out to him and offered to replace the wedding rings that were stolen and a local woman offered to replace a stolen iPad with a brand new one.

“The public outreach to these guys, who were helping people when they were robbed of their stuff, has been humbling,” Aubert said. “We’re very appreciative.”

No.7 wasn’t the only station that was targeted in Northern California recently. Aubert said burglars also appeared to target station No. 3, but the break-in attempt was thwarted when a noise woke the firefighters and the apparent burglars fled.

Aubert said nearby stations were reviewing their security protocols and considering additional measures, including on-duty guards and gates with codes, to prevent future break-ins.

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