Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Firefighters assisting with the safe resolution of a slow leaking acetylene tank near Central and San Pedro SE Monday were almost the victims of a theft when a man tried to walk away with $500 worth of equipment.
After police officers left the scene where they had been blocking traffic, firefighters saw 48-year-old Steven McKinnon walk away with a fire equipment tool box containing fire safety tools, said officer Tanner Tixier, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Police returned to the scene and arrested McKinnon, Tixier said. He is charged with larceny and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on $2,500 bail.
“This is the second incident in just a couple of months in which suspects have been apprehended and arrested by Southeast day shift officers for stealing public safety equipment and tools belonging to AFD personnel,” Tixier said.
The last theft occurred over Memorial Day weekend when $7,000 worth of equipment was stolen from an Albuquerque Fire Department truck. Police arrested Daniel Liddick, 35, for the theft.
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