12 Maryland FFs Suspended For Hijinks

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Hijinks at a Rockville Fire Station -- and the chief has suspended a dozen firefighters. Three young volunteers at the number 3 station off Hungerford Drive are also charged with burglary and grand theft.

Watch WUSA-TV New Report
Read More at STATter 911 Blog

Rockville Police have twice in the last week busted up incidents involving firefighters from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department.

Very early Friday morning, three teenage volunteers allegedly tripped an alarm at the Fire Service warehouse and were arrested with thousands of dollars in portable two way radios, biohazard suits, axes and pry bars. County fire officials say the 17 year olds were off duty.

The arrests came just days after another incident at the Finestra Apartments in Rockville Town Center, just across the street from the firehouse.

Police were called for disorderly conduct in the community room. It was two in the morning, the lock was broken, and nine volunteers -- including some teens -- were partying inside.

Some sources suggest there was underage drinking -- but police say no one was arrested nor cited for any crime. "I have no idea if they were drinking or not," says Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Asst. Chief Scott Graham.

County fire officials brushed off the suggestion that the teenage fire volunteers might have just been looking for more supplies.

If they needed gear, they say, all they had to do was submit a request.

The three teenagers arrested early this morning were released a few hours later to their parents. But they are facing charges that could earn them a year in juvenile hall.

Republished with permission of WUSA-TV