Officials: Jersey City Firehouse Burglarized While Firefighters Out On Call
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly broke into a Jersey City firehouse while the firefighters were out on a call.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. last Wednesday while members of Engine 22 were responding to a 911 call of a gas leak, officials said.
1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports
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Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman believes the suspect was watching the house at 468 Ocean Ave. and waiting for the firefighters to leave.
"Figuring he had his way, he jumped the fence and opened the door," Roman told 1010 WINS reporter Steve Sandberg.
When the firefighters returned about 15 minutes later, Roman said they saw the suspect trying to flee with a power saw, but he dropped it and ran away.
However, the suspect managed to make off with a firefighter's car keys and a $300 iPod, Sandberg reported.
Roman said the firefighters feel victimized and find the incident disheartening.
"We have a very friendly relationship with the community," Roman said. "When it's violated in the way that it was on that given day it's sad. It saddens us because we figured, 'Hey, we're here to help you, why are you trying to steal from us?'"
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jersey City police tip line at (201) 547-JAIL.
