Walthourville Stolen Firefighting Equipment Found

Last October, someone stole some Liberty County firefighters' lifesaving gear. This past Sunday, deputies found it. The firefighters at Walthourville are elated. They've relied on loaner equipment and other departments for six months, but no more.

Capt. Shawn Smith says it was the best middle of the night phone call he's gotten in a long time.

"Thom called me Sunday night at 1:30 in the morning," Smith recalled. "He told me someone was firing a gun and that's how they found our stuff."

The stuff included Jaws of Life, hydraulic cutters and other life-saving equipment someone stole right out of the fire station. Walthourville's assistant chief Thomas Hines told him sheriff's deputies in Long County had gone to a house on a domestic dispute call and found the gear.

"I went into the trailer and sure enough, it was all there and it was all intact," said Hines. "Our Jaws of Life, our cutter, spreaders, a rescue saw, axes, everything."

Firefighters say what's interesting is which pieces the crooks tried to disguise, like common, everyday bolt cutters and a pickaxe. But more valuable pieces like a K-12 rescue saw weren't well concealed.

"We have Walthourville Fire Department etched into everything, and they didn't even try to take that off," said Smith.

"It had to be lower than low for somebody to steal our stuff," said volunteer firefighter Brian Holland. "But it makes me proud we got it back."

Hines and the rest just say they're glad to have back what belongs to them and the people they serve. Liberty County sheriff's investigators arrested Reginald Mack, Jr., after Long County deputies found the gear in Mack's Long County home. Because of some other suspicious gear, charges from Long County and Hinesville police could be pending.

They can't use the equipment just yet, as some of it was damaged when it was stolen. But the manufacturers are coming this weekend to make repairs so it could be back in service next week.