LITTLEROCK, Wash. — Deputies in Washington state are investigating after surveillance video showed a woman walking away with a wallet accidentally dropped Friday by Yakima County Emergency Management Director Tony Miller at a Littlerock gas station.
The woman walked away moments after thanking Miller for his department’s efforts in fighting fires in the state.
Miller, who is also a longtime firefighter in Selah, said he drove with a team to Thurston County this week to help with the Mima brush fire that burned several hundred acres and forced evacuations.
“Disappointed,” Miller told KIRO-TV. “This community, for this fire, has been overwhelmingly welcome to us and thanking us. Just surprised.”
Security video shows the woman talking with a firefighter as he fuels up a fire vehicle in Littlerock. Miller is seen on video walking out of the gas station when his wallet falls to the ground.
“Didn’t realize it until we started going down the road,” Miller told KIRO. “We went (back) into the store, asked if somebody turned in anything, and that’s when they said, ‘We can check the video.’”
Miller said the woman thanked the firefighters for their work during this year’s deadly wildfire season, the television station reported. Gas station video shows the woman talking with the firefighter and waving goodbye as she walks away.
“Thank you for being here,” Miller said the woman told him. “We appreciate everything you’re doing.”
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said deputies have seen the woman around the area before but were still looking for her.
“I have holds on all the credit cards but I’d still like them back,” Miller told KIRO. “I don’t hold anything against the community. They’ve been awesome to us.”
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