Deputies responded to the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department Training Center on Snowhill Road on Tuesday about 9:30 p.m. on the report of a burglary, according to a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office news release.
According to detectives, a person or persons' unknown forcibly entered the department's training facility and stole equipment, gear and tools valued at approximately $30,000. The items stolen during the break-in are important pieces of equipment utilized in day-to-day fire and emergency operations.
The break-in is in the preliminary phase of the investigation and details are limited. The theft is unusual because it includes many items that cannot be regularly used or easily sold for other purposes other than fire and emergency operations.
Anyone with any information regarding the break-in or the stolen items is encouraged to contact the HCSO Criminal Investigations Division at 423-209-8940 or you may solicit a tip directly at http://www.hcsheriff.gov/cid/cid_feedback/feedback.php.