San Fran Firefighter Accused of Stealing from His Department

A criminal investigation is underway against a San Francisco firefighter accused of stealing equipment from the department.

According to local television station NBC Bay Area – KNTV, Firefighter Mitchell Lee, 51, could also lose his job after police department issued hoses and fittings inside a garage in April after firefighters were summoned to extinguish a fire that started outside the building.

During the investigation of the fire at 2601 Harrison St., 25 hoses and dozens of brass fittings were seized from the property where Lee operates a side business called Pacific Automatic Sprinkler Co., according to the television station.

Lee, who listed the property as his residence of record, told police he bought the equipment at flea markets and picked up pieces that had been left behind at fire scenes, the television station reported. However, Lee neglected to return any of the equipment to the department to which he belonged and none of it was reported missing or stolen.

The case is still being evaluated by prosecutors who say Lee could face criminal charges for the alleged crime, the station reported. Lee, however, is facing termination for the alleged actions and a department is also faction discipline for allegedly failing to account for the missing equipment.