By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
The New Haven Register
ANSONIA, Conn. — Mayor James Della Volpe put Fire Chief Ronald Burgess on unpaid administrative leave Wednesday after learning Burgess had stored firearms on city property.
Della Volpe said he made the decision after learning of a burglary at the fire chief’s office, in which firearms were stolen. The firearms are legally registered to Burgess, police said.
“This leave will be in place pending the outcome of the police investigation into a burglary which occurred at the fire chief’s office ... in which fire equipment and unsecured firearms were stolen from that office,” Della Volpe said in a statement.
“I have never authorized the storage of firearms at any city building other than the Police Department out of concern for the public safety of our citizens,” Della Volpe said. “I want to make it clear that this is the sole reason for this action concerning Chief Burgess.”
Della Volpe said he will await the outcome of the police investigation into the burglary before taking any further action. The disciplinary action could include possible termination, according to Della Volpe.
Burgess could not be reached for comment. He has been the city’s fire chief for about eight months, and before that had been an assistant fire chief for about eight years, according to Della Volpe.
“Right now, I’m waiting for police to do their job, and then I’ll decide what action to take,” Della Volpe said.
Burglars stole a handgun, rifle, ammunition and hundreds of dollars’ worth of communications gear from the fire chief’s office this week.
Police were contacted Tuesday at about 7:54 a.m. about the burglary at Burgess’ office, which is located within the Public Works complex on North Division Street. Workers from Public Works noticed the door to the fire chief’s office was open when they reported to work, according to police.
Police said the burglars forced open a door on the south side of the building. The burglars scattered items throughout the office and fled.
The following items were taken: a Scott Air Pack valued at $5,000, four Uniden BC 35000 Scanners valued at $100 each, one Motorola portable radio charger valued at $250 and one Motorola BearCat Scanner valued at $250.
The firearms were being stored by the fire chief, police said, and included a Smith & Wesson 9 mm semiautomatic handgun valued at $700; a Smith & Wesson 5.56-caliber rifle with three boxes of ammunition valued at $1,400; five sets of earmuffs; and five sets of safety glasses.
“He does have a permit for the guns — they were legally licensed and registered,” said police spokesman Lt. Andrew Cota.
Cota said he isn’t sure how long the investigation will take. Police are looking into whether someone knew guns were being stored in the office, and targeted it for that reason, or if burglars stumbled upon them.
“It is possible the people didn’t know there were weapons and just happened to find them,” Cota said. “We do want to talk to anyone who knew there were guns inside.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885.
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