Police in Lota have arrested a 27-year-old man suspected of stealing tools from the First Fire Company of Lota, an incident that left the rescue unit temporarily out of service.
The robbery occurred on April 17, when unknown individuals took various tools from the fire station’s premises. Authorities said the stolen equipment was valued at more than $10 million Chilean pesos.
Following the theft, the Investigative Police (PDI) launched an investigation that led to the identification and detention of the suspect. Subprefect Yuri Méndez, head of the Criminal Investigation Brigade in Lota, said detectives conducted a swift investigative process that allowed them to gather evidence linking the man to the crime.
“Through the evidence collected, we were able to establish the suspect’s involvement and obtain a detention order from the Local Prosecutor’s Office in Coronel,” Méndez stated. “The arrest was carried out in the commune of Lota.”
The detained individual has prior police records for property-related offenses and was already subject to an active arrest warrant issued by the Lota Letters and Guarantee Court.
Police continue to work on recovering the stolen tools, some of which have reportedly been returned anonymously. The suspect has been placed before the Lota Letters and Guarantee Court for detention review.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges emergency services face in protecting essential equipment, particularly in communities where resources are already limited. The loss of rescue tools, even temporarily, can directly impact response capabilities during emergencies.
