Kamloops RCMP say they have recovered some firefighting equipment after reports of a theft in progress in Aberdeen led to the arrest – and release – of a suspect on the North Shore.

Mounties say they were called to the 1400-block of Hugh Allan Drive around 2:35 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, noting about $10,000 in firefighting equipment, an AED, and a medic kit was stolen from two parked vehicles.

That say Tuesday’s theft was the second in as many days in the area that was reported to police. Mounties say on Monday, Aug. 21, wildfire gear and equipment was stolen from the same Aberdeen location in Kamloops.

RCMP say a black truck – which was reportedly involved in another theft in the 100-block of Vernon Avenue in north Kamloops, around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday morning – was seen in the vicinity of both Aberdeen thefts.

“Officers attended and located the suspect vehicle, which was also reported as stolen out of Kamloops,” RCMP said, in a statement. “A youth suspect known to police was located inside and arrested for possession of stolen property. Two males allegedly fled on foot before officers arrived.”

Inside the truck, Mounties say they found a pellet rifle, the stolen medic bag and AED, and a bag containing the wildfire gear from the Aug. 21 theft.

In a release, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn says the unidentified youth was released pending the outcome of the investigation.

It is not clear what happened to the equipment stolen during the Aug. 22 theft, but police say they’re also looking for more stolen equipment following concerns about stolen equipment raised by the BC Wildfire Service over the weekend.

“The items stolen were directly related to local wildfire response,” Superintendent Jeff Pelley, the Kamloops RCMP Detachment’s Officer in Charge, said. “It is extremely disheartening to see these crimes occurring and potentially hampering the efforts of those who are trying to protect life and property in extremely dangerous and volatile environments.”

“We will be working proactively with our partners and the public to ensure that those found responsible for any thefts affecting the ability of firefighters on the frontlines are held to full account, with zero tolerance displayed for such senseless criminal acts.”

People with information about these thefts, or any others that may be related, are being told to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000.