POLICE – Wildfire gear stolen in Kamloops is recovered, arrest made

Police are sorting through recovered firefighting equipment and are on the lookout for more following an arrest in Kamloops Tuesday morning.

On Aug. 22, 2023 around 2:35 a.m., police were called to a theft in progress on the 1400-block of Hugh Allan Drive, where about $10,000 worth of firefighting equipment, an AED, and a medic kit were stolen from two parked vehicles.

The incident followed an Aug. 21 report at the same location, in which wildfire gear and equipment were also stolen.

“The items stolen were directly related to local wildfire response,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley.

“It is extremely disheartening to see these crimes occurring and potentially hampering the efforts of those who are trying to protect life and property in extremely dangerous and volatile environments,” he’s said.

“We will be working proactively with our partners and the public to ensure that those found responsible for any thefts affecting the ability of firefighters on the frontlines are held to full account, with zero tolerance displayed for such senseless criminal acts.”

In both investigations, a black truck was observed in relation to the theft from motor vehicles. On Aug. 22, around 4:40 a.m., Kamloops RCMP responded to another theft in progress on the 100-block of Vernon Avenue, which included a truck matching the same description.

Officers attended and located the suspect vehicle, which was also reported as stolen out of Kamloops. A youth suspect known to police was located inside and arrested for possession of stolen property. Two males allegedly fled on foot before officers arrived.

A pellet rifle, the stolen medic bag and AED; and a bag with wildfire gear from the Aug. 21 report were located in the vehicle.

The youth was released, pending the outcome of the investigation, which includes the assistance of the Kamloops RCMP Forensic Identification Unit. Anyone with information about the thefts, or any others that may be related, is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000.