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Firefighters Called For False Alarm Return To Find Burglars In Firehouse

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Firefighters in the Belmont-Cragin neighborhood were called for what turned out to be a false alarm Thursday night and, when they got back, they found two burglars inside the firehouse.

The crew of Engine 7 was returning to their firehouse at 4811 W. Belmont Av. around 9:30 p.m. Thursday when they saw two people inside, robbing the building, police said. One man was poised to walk away with the laptop.

When a firefighter saw the man, he sprung into action.

"It is kind of comical, because they thought they were going to run away and just take off with the laptop, and then 10 firemen pile out of the two trucks, and what are they going to do?" said fire Lt. Ken Pallister.

Firefighters quickly called police, and the two alleged burglars were arrested.

Firehouse Burglars
Anthony Depietro (left) and Robert J. Depietro are charged with burglarizing a Northwest Side firehouse. (Credit: Chicago Police)

Anthony Depietro, 27, and Robert J. Depietro, 32, both of the 4800 block of North Montclare Avenue, were each charged with one count of burglary, police told the Sun-Times Media Wire. They were set to appear in bond court later Friday.

Firefighters said the men were both clearly inebriated.

Engine 7, Truck 58 and Ambulance 7 are headquartered at the Belmont Avenue firehouse.

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