Over the past few months, thieves have been targeting fire stations, fire trucks, and ambulances. They are stealing life-saving equipment, saws, Jaws of Life, and other rescue tools necessary to save you should you become trapped in a motor vehicle or some other type of rescue incident. In early January a gray 2007, Infinity G35 pulled up to the Ponderosa Fire Station and stole 2-chain saws, 2-rescue saws, and 2 Honda generators. The license number LDB-8510 has been seen in the area yet nothing from law enforcement. Then on February 10, 2023, Klien Fire Department was backed into Ponderosa Fire Station to cover the area while Ponderosa was fighting a major apartment fire. A purple Nissan pulled up in front of the station and sat for several minutes. Then in 28 seconds a male jumped out, went to the truck, and stole $2200 worth of rescue tools. Several days later Houston Fire truck 84 was at the Walmart on I-45 and West road when the same vehicle showed up and the driver stole 2 chainsaws and 2-rescue saws. In the past 15 months over 11 departments have been hit. Westfield Fire Department was hit for over $40,000 worth of equipment. Police did recover a $12,000 Jaws of Life not long ago in a stolen vehicle but there was no arrest. Ponderosa Fire Chief Fred Windisch who was with Ponderosa back in the volunteer days of the ’80s said they would make maybe a half dozen shootings or stabbings every 6-months in the 1960 West area. That number is now what they do almost weekly. THe first responders wear vests and helmets to make the calls.
