CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two different cars that were parked at Charlotte Fire Department stations were broken into Thursday night, officials confirmed to Channel 9.
“These firefighters are out trying to protect lives and property, and it's just wrong what they're coming back to,” Capt. Dennis Gist, Charlotte fire said.
They're coming back to their own property damaged and stolen.
This morning while first responders were called out to a crash at Little Rock Road and Tuckaseegee.
Someone jumped the fence at a fire station down the road broke into their cars, and stole personal items.
And it's happening more and more.
Also hit Friday was fire station number 26. That makes at least five fire stations in our area targeted in two weeks, and officials want to put a stop to it.
And that's just in Charlotte.
Three others stations were hit in China Grove, Kannapolis and Mooresville in that time.
Fire officials confirmed that over the past week that someone has broken into more than a dozen personal vehicles at five different stations across Charlotte.
Officials said the suspects broke windows in some cars and rummaged through others, taking personal property from the vehicles.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating to see if there is a link between all these break-ins.
But has narrowed down why firefighters are being targeted, because many drive pick-up trucks and SUVs.
“They're looking for one thing, they're looking for guns. They're making that stereotypical assumption in that car, sadly they're finding one,” Lt. Mark Santaniello said.
Two guns were taken from a vehicle at a station on South Tryon Friday while crews were on a call.
Channel 9 reported last week someone broke into two China Grove fireman’s vehicles. They found their doors open and glass on the ground.
That makes four fire departments hit in just over a week throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/4R5tOrmara
— John Paul (@JPaulWSOC9) February 19, 2016
Police told Channel 9 the thieves have targeted four others in the same community.
Police also worked a similar case in Kannapolis on Feb. 11 outside Station 3 on Florida Avenue. That happened while several firefighters were responding to a call.
Police don't know if the cases are connected.
CFD said it has systems in place at all fire stations to keep this from happening, and will be taking additional precautions.
“We feel that it could be someone who is monitoring our radio traffic. Because all of the incidents have occurred while firefighters were out on calls,” Santaniello said.
Police are stepping up patrols and the Charlotte Fire Department is looking to upgrade its security.
“We are taking some additional measures, and we're going to get to the bottom of this,” Santaniello said.
Neighbors are left stunned by the crime.
“You’re going after the people who could save your lives, and your children. It's terrible,” Earlene Heaton said.
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