Video shows suspects stealing fire extinguishers while responding to wildfires in LA

Federal investigators are searching for suspects, caught on surveillance footage, who are accused of stealing fire extinguishers from a US Forest Service strike team during a Southern California hurricane event.

Officials of the US Forest Service said the incident happened on Friday, January 17, at around 03:00, when the thieves targeted the firefighters of the strike team who were responding to a “high wind event,” in Rancho Cucamonga, a city in San Bernardino County about 40 kilometers to the east . of Los Angeles.

The team was parking their engine behind the Hilton Hotel when cameras caught two male suspects standing next to the engine and “forcing open” three locked engine compartments and taking out important firefighting equipment, the statement said.

Two male suspects were then seen fleeing with the equipment in a red two-door Jeep Wrangler with a black soft top, black seats and a barely visible California license plate beginning with the number “6”.

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Officials described the first suspect, who was carrying bolt cutters, as a man between 5 and 7 feet tall and 6-feet tall with a “large build and a small mustache.” He was last seen wearing a black hat, a red jacket with yellow stripes on the shoulders and sides and green pants.

The second suspect is described by officials as a man, believed to be about 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 with a “husky build.” He was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap with an unknown white logo, a long-sleeved blue shirt and baggy jeans.

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Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact USFS Law Enforcement Officer Tyler Smith by email at tyler.smith2@usda.gov, or contact the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5653.

The theft comes as Southern California continues to battle devastating fires and strong winds.

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Man arrested for posing as firefighter at Palisades Fire rescue station. He and another person were seen on mopeds at the exit. (Eric Fox/ Fox First On The Scene Photos)

Authorities have arrested many people in recent weeks who pretended to be firefighters or impersonating members of the media to enter the fire zone.

“This arrest underscores the strength of our partnership with LASD as we work together to protect and defend communities affected by wildfires,” the CHP said in a previous statement.

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“Criminal acts such as trespassing at exit points, tampering with press passes, and looting will not be tolerated.”

Fox News’ Mollie Markowitz contributed to this report.