MANTECA, Calif. —

The Manteca Fire Department is calling on residents to check their cameras for any evidence that could help identify thieves who broke into a firehouse and stole lifesaving equipment over the weekend.

Five firefighter strike team bags were stolen from a secured storage container at Fire Station No. 3 on West Louise Avenue, the department said. The theft was reported on Sunday at around 10:24 a.m.

Strike team bags are used for wildland fire deployments and contain sleeping bags, boots, uniforms, flashlights and backpacking meals, Fire Chief Steven Islas said in a statement. Each bag is worth about $2,000.

The department has recovered two of the bags at nearby businesses, though some of the items are missing.

The department did not have surveillance cameras at the stat

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