Around $10,000 of radio equipment was stolen from the Oakdale Hose Company's assistant fire chief over the weekend. 

The Oakdale Hose Company said on Facebook that the assistant chief had two radios taken from his truck just before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Tim Stalling said he woke up around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, and looked out the window.

"I saw a gentleman over at this house across the street going into a car," said Stalling. "Didn't know what it was at the time, then (the suspected thief) started zigzagging over to my neighbor's house," said Stalling.

"Then I saw him go over to the house, the assistant fire chief's house, and open the truck door," said Stalling. "So, when you see other people going into other people's vehicles, it's almost like you feel violated in a way, right?" Stalling added.

The fire department said that a Motorola APX 8000 radio and a Motorola APX 6000 radio were stolen and look like walkie-talkies.

The person who stole the radios was chased on foot by an Oakdale police officer, but they got away, the fire department said.

"Theft is bad to begin with, and especially in the small town, we kind of don't expect it," said Oakdale business owner Mark Snatchko.

Snatchko is also serving his 50th year in the Oakdale Hose Company.

"So it's a pretty important piece of equipment for us to have," Snatchko said.

He said all officers carry fire department-issued radios, but these stolen radios communicate with Allegheny and Washington counties.

"Dollar value-wise, as far as I know, this is probably the biggest hit that the town has had," said Snatchko.

Now, people who live in the area of Winslow Drive, Fayette Avenue, Vincennes Avenue, Hastings Avenue, Cottonwood Drive, First Street, Second Street, and Third Street can help the fire company by checking their home cameras in Oakdale.

"Be vigilant, be that neighbor who's looking out and reporting anything suspicious you see," said Stalling.

In the meantime, the theft is hampering the heroic work of local firefighters.

Oakdale Hose Company Chief Jim Snatchko said this theft comes as a siren on one of the fire trucks broke and is estimated to cost $3,000 to repair.

Each year, the department only gets $35,000 towards a borough truck, but the total cost to operate the fire company is closer to $100,000.  

The fire department says the fire chief is going to be asking members for their permission to offer a reward for the return of the equipment or information that would lead to an arrest of the person who stole the equipment.