Caught On Tape: 3 Men Steal Fire Hydrants From Stone Bluff Fire Department

Three men targeted a volunteer fire department in Wagoner County and stole twelve fire hydrants that were sitting at the station.

The department believes the burglars are local, and they were caught on tape.

The surveillance video is posted on their web site.  [Click on the link to watch the video]

Investigators need help identifying the three men because just one new fire hydrant can cost as much as $3,000.

Jamie Bevard has worked at Stone Bluff's volunteer fire department for so long, he feels like his own home was burglarized.

"Really I wasn't surprised. There's been a lot of thefts in the area, people help themselves," said Jamie Bevard, Stone Bluff Fire Chief.

Surveillance video shows three men helping themselves to twelve fire hydrants someone donated to the department.

The burglars arrived in a dark 4-door pickup on November 17th, somewhat familiar with the back roads, and piled them in.

Bevard believes the thieves plan to sell the hydrants to a scrap yard. Residents think it's ridiculous to target the fire department.

"It's volunteer, they do a good job and then someone comes and steals their stuff. Not a good thing," said Stone Bluff resident Lloyd Long.

But the burglars actually stole from the entire community. Stone Bluff has seven hydrants in its fire service area and firefighters were hoping to restore and install the twelve donated hydrants to help with water source problems.

"It helps the community out by lowering their insurance ratings. We've done some studies and stuff and it would cost the insurance out here quite a bit for these people," Bevard said

Those savings are on hold now and firefighters are praying someone recognizes the criminals in the surveillance video.

"You're caught. You're on video now, we will find you. I just hope you had a Merry Christmas because some people out here won't now," Bevard said.

The chief says the department will get insurance money since the theft was a property loss. So the hydrants will eventually be replaced - but the chief still wants to find the burglars.

Call the Wagoner County Sheriff's office at 918-485-3124 if you can identify them.

The surveillance video is posted on their web site.  [Click on the link to watch the video]