3 arrested for fire hydrant thefts in La Quinta, Coachella, and Indio

Lance Kinsler / Richard Morales / Cole Thomas (Riverside County Sheriff's Department)

Three people were arrested on Monday after police say they were involved in a series of fire hydrant thefts in three Coachella Valley cities.

The La Quinta Special Enforcement Team Officers observed Lance Kinsler and Cole Thomas in the area of Avenue 50 and Jackson removing fire hydrant caps and the bolts holding a fire hydrant to the ground about 3:30 am Monday morning, according to a news release. Kinsler and Thomas were contacted and detained.

Investigators determined that Kinsler was responsible for multiple fire hydrant and fire hydrant cap thefts in La Quinta, Coachella, and Indio.

A search warrant was served at a residence of Calle Techa in the city of Coachella. During the search, authorities found several parts belonging to fire hydrants. A third person, Richard Morales, was taken into custody at the residence.

The value of the fire hydrant thefts and damaged fire hydrants totaled over $45,000.