Sheriff's Department investigates theft of nearly 100 fire hydrants in Los Angeles County this year – Daily News

LOS ANGELES — Authorities are investigating the theft of nearly 100 fire hydrants in Los Angeles County this year, sheriff's officials said Monday.

Some 85 hydrants were stolen in unincorporated areas of the county, and another 14 in Lynwood, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The department's Century Station partnered with the LASD Major Crimes Bureau to investigate the thefts.

“These incidents significantly threaten public safety and disrupt essential emergency services…Our investigators are working diligently to identify and apprehend those responsible for the thefts,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.

“Fire hydrants play a crucial role in ensuring effective fire response and public safety, and their removal can have serious consequences. Rest assured, our main priorities are the safety and well-being of our community. We are fully committed to quickly resolving this issue and ensuring that all hydrants are restored and functioning properly,” the statement added.

Thieves take the hydrants in hopes of reselling them at metal recycling yards, officials told Fox 11.

Water companies can fight back by installing lock shields on the bolts that connect fire hydrants to underground pipes.

A California state water company responded to an ever-increasing wave of fire hydrant thefts in Los Angeles by installing locked shields to cover fire hydrant bolts to stop thieves.

– KNX News 97.1 FM (@knxnews) June 4, 2024

More than 80 fire hydrants were stolen throughout Los Angeles County, deputies say.

– FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) June 4, 2024

Anyone with information regarding the thefts was asked to contact the Century Station Detective Bureau at 323-568-4935. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org