A black, custom made fire fighter’s helmet valued at $750 – with the red stripe of a captain’s rank – was taken from inside a Manteca Fire Engine sometime Saturday night.

By late Sunday afternoon Captain Kevin Terpstra was reunited with his helmet. The Manteca Police Department had been working to find his helmet. They were able to close the case when an employee at Food 4 Less saw a homeless woman in the store with the fire helmet.  The store worker called police and the helmet was confiscated from the suspect who was placed in handcuffs and charged with the theft. 

Manteca Police Sgt. Stephen Schluer said Heidi Vasconcellos, a 46-year-old Manteca transient was charged with felony possession of stolen property. 

Terpstra said the helmet was given to him as a graduation gift from his mother some 26 years ago when he completed the Fire Science Academy in Modesto.  He said it was missing sometime Saturday night either when on a medical call or in front of a market on Yosemite Avenue – not knowing which.   Terpstra said it is difficult to leave one of his men with the rig at a call as they are all needed inside businesses or residences on medical calls.

“Our helmets are our pride – none is the same – each one is different,” he said. 

Fire crews have reported thefts from their rigs in the past including turnout coats and computers. 

The fire captain said his son and daughter are currently studying Fire Science with his son serving as a volunteer at the Woodland Avenue station in Modesto. Both are attending classes at Modesto Junior College. 

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.