Guns stolen, windows smashed from 16 firefighter vehicles

Miami Beach, Miami-Dade firefighters targeted by thieves

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Sixteen firefighters had their vehicles broken into Friday morning.

Personal firearms were among the items stolen from the Miami Beach Fire Department and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighters who had their vehicles parked at their respective stations.

It was sometime between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. that the thieves targeted the Miami Beach Fire Rescue Station 4 at 6880 Indian Creek, Miami Beach police said.

That's where 10 firefighters had the windows of their vehicles smashed and their property stolen, police said.

"It's a very unfortunate incident," Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez said. "Just last week we were with several of these firefighters down in the Keys rendering aid for everyone, so now they need our help." 

Rodriguez said that in addition to having their windows smashed, firefighters who were working 24-hour shifts, also had their property stolen, including four guns. 

"Firearms were taken," Rodriguez said. "These are the personal firearms of some of the employees. Those (firearms) have been registered and entered with their serial numbers, so when and if those are located we'll automatically be able to gather more information." 

No items were taken from the six vehicles that were broken into at the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 7, located at 9350 Northwest 22nd Avenue.

Although the crimes are similar, Miami Beach police don't believe the incidents are related. 

"There are two options here," Rodriguez said. "You could watch this newscast and surrender yourself to the Miami-Dade Police Department or Miami Beach Police Department, or we'll come looking for you." 

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.