(KTLA) – Federal investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating two men who were seen on surveillance cameras breaking into a U.S. Forest Service vehicle and stealing critical fire equipment in San Bernardino County.
The Jan. 17 incident unfolded in the parking lot the Holiday Inn Express & Suits at 9589 Milliken Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga where a U.S. Forest Service firefighting strike team was stationed during the Santa Ana wind event, according to a news release from San Bernardino National Forest.
Authorities said that around 3 a.m., the two suspects in a red two-door Jeep Wrangler with a black soft top, tan seats and a partially visible license plate starting with the number 6 parked near a San Bernardino National Forest fire engine and forcibly opened three locked compartments.
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Two suspects seen on surveillance cameras stealing fire equipment from the U.S. Forest Service on Jan. 17, 2025. (USDA) -
Two suspects seen on surveillance cameras stealing fire equipment from the U.S. Forest Service on Jan. 17, 2025. (USDA) -
Two suspects seen on surveillance cameras stealing fire equipment from the U.S. Forest Service on Jan. 17, 2025. (USDA) -
Two suspects seen on surveillance cameras stealing fire equipment from the U.S. Forest Service on Jan. 17, 2025. (USDA) -
Two suspects seen on surveillance cameras stealing fire equipment from the U.S. Forest Service on Jan. 17, 2025. (USDA)
In photos released by the forest service, one of the suspects is seen carrying bolt cutters that were presumably used to gain access to the locked compartments where the thieves “removed essential fire equipment” and placed the stolen gear in the jeep.
The Jeep Wrangler was last seen leaving the parking lot on Milliken Avenue and turning right onto 5th Street and out of the view of cameras.
The suspect seen carrying bolt cutters was described as a white male standing 5 foot 7 inches to 6 foot tall, with a medium build and a thin mustache. He was wearing a black knit hat, a red jacket with yellow trim on the shoulders and sides and blue pants.
The second suspect was described as a Hispanic male standing approximately 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 10 inches tall with a medium or husky build. He was wearing a blue baseball cap with an unknown white logo, a blue long-sleeved shirt and baggy jeans.
Anyone with information about this investigation or who may recognize the suspects from the photos is urged to contact Officer Tyler Smith at the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5635 or by email at [email protected].
