Walnut Creek Fire Station Burglarized As Firefighters Battled Morgan Fire
WALNUT CREEK (KPIX 5) - A Walnut Creek fire station was burglarized while firefighters were battling the Morgan Fire on Sunday.
Steve Aubert, a spokesman with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, told KPIX 5 burglars broke into Fire Station #7 at 1050 Walnut Ave. in Walnut Creek.
"They stole an iPad, some wallets, watches, money…and two of the guys' wedding rings," said Aubert.
It happened while firefighters were out on the fire lines on Sunday, said Walnut Creek Police Lt. Steve Gorski. "When they returned, they found the station had been burglarized."
Gorski said there were no witnesses and nobody is in custody.
"You know, it's really quite unbelievable that somebody would take advantage of a situation where there is tragedy is going on somewhere else in the county and think of coming here and steal the personal items of firefighters trying so hard to protect the public," Robert Marshall of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District told KPIX 5.
A burglar also made another attempt at another fire station early Monday morning at 2:50 AM. Gorski said a burglar tried to climb into the window at 1350 Rossmoor Parkway, but was scared away from someone inside the fire house.
"He ran off into the darkness," said Gorski. "He woke up some firefighters and they scared him off."
Judy and Steve Padis of Padis Jewelry were outraged by the break-ins. "When I read the story, I started to cry," Judy Padis said.
The Padis' told KPIX 5 that they are offering to help the firefighters by replacing the stolen jewelry, including the wedding rings.
"Who would do something like that? These guys are out there risking their lives all the time, not just today," Judy Padis said.
Anyone with information on the burglaries is asked to call the Walnut Creek Police Department.
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