Thieves Steal Equipment from WA Engine as FFs Shop

At least $10,000 worth of tools were stolen from the Pierce County engine while it was parked outside a grocery store.

Jan. 17, 2024

While firefighters were in a Takoma grocery store Monday, a thief broke into their engine and stole equipment.

Citizens ran into the store to tell the firefighters about the incident. They ran out to see thieves speeding away in a white pickup truck with a U-Haul trailer, KOMO reported.

Saws and other tools were stolen from the compartments. The value is at least $10,000, a burden for the district that consists mostly of volunteers as there are only a few career firefighters.

“It’s aggravating and frustrating. This was the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this. I’d heard stories about it happening up in Seattle,” Pierce County Fire District 13 Lt. Dylan Tapia told reporters. “They ruined our ability to do a lot of stuff we are here to do."

Firefighter Alandra Swords said of the thieves taking their tools: “We aren’t able to get a lot of this equipment off the shelves, and we can’t just go to Lowes. A lot of it has to be specially ordered. Some of it has a wait list that could put us months and thousands of dollars behind. We absolutely have to keep our guard up.”

Takoma police are investigating.