NEW MARKET, Tenn. — Update (July 19, 11 p.m.): The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday night that the person accused of stealing more than $60,000 worth of equipment from the New Market Volunteer Fire Department was taken into custody.
They said all the equipment was found and returned to the station. They identified him as James Marshall and said he was a former member of the volunteer fire department. A member of the fire department said he had worked there for around two years.
Authorities said the equipment was taken to a separate location in Knox County, where law enforcement recovered it.
JCSO also said almost all the equipment was recovered, including the Amkus extrication tool. They were still looking for a pipe-pole Wednesday night. JCSO also said a total of three people were arrested in Knox County in connection with the theft.
"Decades of service to this community. Service as law enforcement, constable, as firefighters," said Jeff Coffey, the sheriff. "They ain't getting paid any for it. That was our goal coming in here, a volunteer fire department ... We reached out, and even our IT department, was helping us download videos from residents. We pulled everybody out to help solve this. In my personal feelings, it was a threat to the community because that equipment wasn't there."
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The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating a burglary at the New Market Volunteer Fire Department Tuesday night.
They said crews from Station 2 had left to respond to a brush fire on Tuesday. JCSO said when they returned at around 9:41 p.m., equipment had been stolen from an engine and a tanker. The station is located at 475 Old Dandridge Pike.
According to JCSO, the stolen equipment includes chainsaws, fans, hand tools, and a combination Amkus extrication tool. Extrication tools are often used to cut through tough materials and open ways through tight spaces, such as cars. JCSO described it as "life-saving equipment."
A full list of property involved in the theft, according to the JCSO report, is available below.
- Battery powered fan
- Generator
- Trickle charger
- Window cutter
- Four DeWalt batteries
- Three DeWalt battery chargers
- DeWalt band saw
- DeWalt K12 saw
- Sawzall
- Multiple blades for saws
- Spare chain for chainsaw
- Four Kenwood radio batteries
- 32-inch Smart TV
- Fridge
- Set of gear and helmet
According to a police report, the equipment was inside the station at around 9:30 a.m. It said the fire department crew had spent around an hour responding to the brush fire call, leaving at around 8:49 p.m.
It also said there was no sign of forced entry into the station.
"It is believed the suspect made entry using the keypad," the police report said.
They said anyone who has information about the stolen equipment should reach out to Detective Sgt. Robbi McMahan at 865-471-6000 Ext. 1109. They said people could also call 911 to report information about the theft.
