Two arrested in fire station burglary

Police arrested two Porterville residents Tuesday for allegedly burglarizing the City Fire Department’s Fire Station No. 2.

The suspects, identified by the Porterville Police Department as Tim Campbell, 43, and Lonnie Bilbrey, 54, are being held on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.

According to police reports, the burglary was reported at about 9:20 a.m. Friday. An unknown person had reportedly accessed storage units belonging to Porterville College and the Porterville Fire Department and also burglarized the PFD’s mobile command trailer, taking tools and equipment.

At approximately 11 p.m. on Tuesday, a police officer located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description involved in the burglary.

Police detectives later served a search warrant at a home in the 500 block of East Poplar Avenue and also searched a vehicle parked in front of the home.

During the search, police located the stolen tools and equipment as well as property that was reported stolen from the city’s Field Services auto shop throughout December and January, police report. Campbell and Bilbrey were booked into the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

According to the PPD, detectives recovered property valued in excess of $3,000.