By FireRescue1 Staff
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A firefighter was surprised by police with his stolen gear worth thousands of dollars after the thieves were caught in a pursuit.
KEYT reported that the gear had been stolen while the firefighter was sleeping after a long day of battling the Thomas Fire.
Police said they responded to a call about a hit-and-run and became involved in a vehicle pursuit with the stolen vehicle before the driver crashed into another vehicle. After a short foot pursuit, the two suspects were taken into custody.
While searching the vehicle, police found the stolen gear, and returned it to the firefighter in a heartfelt surprise.