N.H. Man Charged in Firefighting Gear Theft

Dec. 27--A Goffstown man is free on bail after being arrested and charged with breaking into a Peabody, Mass., fire station and stealing a deputy chief's firefighting outfit.

Police say Kasey Donovan, 24, of Goffstown, broke into the fire headquarters in Peabody, a city about 20 miles north of Boston, and stole new turnout gear intended for use by part of the fire department command staff.

The turnout uniform is comprised of the protective equipment used by firefighters responding to a fire.

"It includes just about everything they wear," Peabody police Capt. Dennis Bonaiuto said. "It did have a deputy chief's insignia on the back."

Donovan was arrested by Peabody Police Sgt. Tim Maroney, a former firefighter, a short distance from the firehouse. He was strolling down a downtown Peabody street clad in the deputy chief's gear, police said.

"He had gained entry through a bulkhead," Bonaiuto said.

Donovan was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit larceny of property valued at more than $250 and receiving stolen property valued at over $250.

Valuation of the property as being worth more than $250 makes each crime a felony under Massachusetts law.

At his arraignment on Dec. 24, Donovan was released on bail and will return to court for a pre-trial hearing early next year.

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Bill Smith may be reached at [email protected].

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