JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) Washington County authorities say someone stole rescue equipment from a boat docked in Boone Lake.
According to the
Johnson City Press (
http://bit.ly/Pk07l2 ), about $16,000 worth of gear was taken after someone kicked in the cabin doors of the 26-foot-long boat belonging to Johnson City-
Washington County Emergency Medical Services. Stolen items include scuba tanks, a dry suit, an automatic electronic defibrillator and other rescue and medical equipment. Included were life jackets, dive fins, a dive harness and an oxygen tank.
The burglary was discovered when someone spotted the boat's sonar equipment floating near a marina on Monday. The serial number led investigators to the rescue boat.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office report on the incident said no other evidence was found and no suspects were identified.
Officials said the theft occurred sometime after the boat's last use on Aug. 2.
EMS Capt.
Dan Wheeley said the theft would delay response if an accident occurs before the gear is replaced.
"The boat's still in the lake," Wheeley said. "We put some basic medical equipment back on it."
Officials said they filed an insurance claim for the stolen equipment, but it will probably take three to four weeks to get new gear ordered and delivered.
