For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1200108 |
| Date Issued: | Aug 14, 2012 - 11:15am |
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Sheriff's Office Completes Investigation of Alleged Tampering With Fire Equipment |
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| CASE #: | WC12-4516 |
| CONTACT: | |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation into alleged tampering of equipment allocated to the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District during the recent de-consolidation with the City of Reno Fire Department.
On June 29, 2012, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of alleged tampering to electric plugs and the hydraulic systems within the specialized maintenance equipment. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation into the complaint.
The Chiefs of both the Reno Fire Department, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District and their staff fully cooperated with Sheriff's Office investigators during the review of this case . The investigation revealed that four heavy equipment lifts were manipulated in such a way as to render them inoperable.
Because the heavy equipment lifts were considered critical to the operation of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District operation, they were fixed prior to investigators collecting forensic evidence from them. This decision, while entirely appropriate for safe operations of the lifts, destroyed any potential forensic evidence that might have been collected. This action subsequently limited the ability of the Sheriff's Office to identify a suspect in this case and no suspect was identified as a result of interviews.
Given that no suspect was identified and subsequently interviewed, we do not know what motive or thought process this person or persons may have had in rendering this equipment inoperable. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is not investigating any other complaint as a result of Fire de-consolidation.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.