Arrest Made and Property Recovered in Theft of Firefighting Equipment
Photo: scene of the incident
Originally published as a Clearlake Police Department Facebook post –
“On June 21, 2021, a fire was reported in the area of Wilkinson Avenue and Dam Road. Lake County Fire Protection District personnel responded and eventually extinguished the fire which grew to about 25 acres in size. This fire led to the evacuation of nearby homes which were threatened. The Lake County Fire Protection District was able to extinguish the fire and remained in the area until for several days.
After the fire incident, Chief Sapeta contacted the Clearlake Police Department and reported that approximately 4000 feet of wild land fire hose along with other fixtures, nozzles, connectors and other fire equipment had been stolen during the incident. Chief Sapeta said that after the fire was extinguished, fire personnel left fire hose connected in the area to assist if there was a flareup from the fire. This is a common practice which allows fire personnel to quickly get to a flareup without having to unravel hose and make connections.
Since the theft, 1100 feet of the hose and some of the connectors had been located piled in the area.
On July 11, 2021, Officer Kelleher was conducting follow-up regarding the theft in the area of the 16100 block of Dam Road. Officer Kelleher observed some of the stolen hose on a property and contacted the resident, Rebecca Moresi, 31. Moresi admitted into going into the fire zone and taking the hose along with connectors. She advised that she has a pump on her property and she was going to use the items for her personal use. At that time, Moresi was placed under arrest based on probable cause for the above noted charges.
Due to the Lake County Superior Court’s emergency bail schedule, Moresi was issued a signed promise to appear with a later court date. The stolen equipment was collected and turned over to fire department, which included 400 feet of hose, a connector and nozzle.
The Clearlake Police Department is continuing the investigation and attempting to locate the remainder of the stolen equipment.”
