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Monday, November 9, 2026Nov 9

Hamilton County maintenance employee arrested in connection with theft from several fire department stations

A Hamilton County maintenance employee was arrested Wednesday in connection with the theft of more than $2,000 in equipment from several volunteer fire department stations.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Derek Lamar Dean at his place of work at the Hamilton County Maintenance Division, according to a news release.

(READ MORE: DA: Images, audio indicate 17-year-old was armed before being shot, killed by Chattanooga police)

Deputies were dispatched to the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department’s station on Birchwood Pike on Tuesday for a reported theft. Fire officials said they had been looking into a string a thefts at four stations that occurred Sept. 21.

Dean was tasked with inspecting the heating units at each of the fire department locations, and video footage from the stations confirmed he was at the scene, the release said.