CALIFORNIA COMPUTER STOLEN FROM FIRE DEPARTMENTPE.com | Inland Southern California | Inland News
BANNING - An arrest Friday night led police to a cache of items reported stolen from the Mt. Baldy Fire Station.

On Friday, Fire Chief Bill Stead and others spent most of the night collecting what remained of the stolen items.

The volunteer fire department lost its two Jaws of Life, a computer, two-way radios, rescue rope, floor jack, generator and portable lighting system early on New Year's Day.

"The thing that baffled us was the Jaws of Life," he said.

Investigators alert locations buying or selling such items that one might be stolen, he said. The generator, computer and hand tools were not found.

Stead said people had stolen minor items from engines on scenes before but "not a house cleanin' like this." The station is changing its security system.

Mt. Baldy residents gathered $5,000 for a reward for information leading to the equipment and arrests. On Jan. 11, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors added another $5,000 to the pot.

The board also has approved $43,000 to replace the stolen equipment, according to county documents.

On Friday night, Banning Police arrested a man on suspicion of being under the influence of controlled substances, DUI and failing to appear in court, according to jail records.

The 23-year-old Banning resident then told police they could find the stolen items at his uncle's house, said Sgt. Adam Ortiz. It is unknown whether he would get the reward money.