Law enforcement authorities in three Western Washington counties were searching Wednesday for burglars who have broken into multiple fire stations, stealing valuable and life-saving equipment that could hamper firefighters' effort to save lives and preserve property.
Sheriff's investigators in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties told KOMO News that they all currently have active investigations within their jurisdictions into the thefts of vital fire department tools that has impacted — or could impact — the response to thousands of people served by the fire departments.
Officials say the thieves have struck within the past two months and six different fire stations have been burglarized. Fire officials are resorting to unprecedented steps to thwart the thefts while some of the volunteer departments said they may have to go without their stolen tools for the time being.
