Alleged fire station burglar caught in Calif.

The Eureka Times Standard

CROOKED PRAIRIE, Calif. — Equipment was stolen and given back to Crooked Prairie Fire Station within two days, after deputies arrested a Salinas man for allegedly breaking into the station twice.

James Bruce McDonnell, 49, allegedly stole over $5,000 in firefighting equipment Tuesday from the Briceland Fire Company station, including 100 gallons of siphoned fuel, a drip torch, a water pump, a chainsaw, hoses, and nozzles, according to a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release.

Security cameras at the station recorded the burglary and reportedly revealed the same man entering the station twice, according to the press release. Deputies showed pictures of the suspect from the video to several people in the area, which reportedly led to McDonnell's arrest.

The stolen equipment was recovered and returned to the fire station.

McDonnell was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property.

He was booked into the Humboldt County jail with a $50,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned Friday.