ST. LOUIS — The firehouse break-ins happened in a flash ... in the thick of the night early Wednesday.
"The individuals got out of the car and did what they do," said Fire Capt. Garon Mosby, a public information officer with the St. Louis Fire Department.
Investigators said surveillance video shows vandals first pull up in a car in an alley behind Engine House 31 near Chippewa and Donovan in south St. Louis. They then smashed out the windows of two emergency responders' vehicles.
It's the second time in recent weeks someone has broken into cars at the fire station, which is not gated.
"It's not news that car break-ins have been a challenge throughout the city. There are a range of emotions that go through the minds," Mosby added.
A frustrating crime for one firefighter at Engine House 31 because he said his truck had been hit twice.
"It cost $300 to replace the first window. Now, that's another $300," Mosby said.
Similar car break-ins occurred overnight at Engine House 35 located at Arsenal and Sublette on The Hill in south St. Louis.
Investigators said the culprits dashed through an opened gate and busted out the windows of six cars that belonged to firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
"It was secured, but there was relief time or before relief time, so firefighters came down and opened the gate," Mosby said. "So for the individuals who damaged the cars, it was really a crime of opportunity because the gate was opened. Otherwise, it would be locked."
It remains unclear what the vandals possibly stole from the cars or if they rummaged through all of the vehicles.
Nonetheless, the city's emergency responders currently face unexpected hits in their pockets days before Christmas.
"That takes a dent days before Christmas. You know the firefighters thought that they were gonna do this or do that for their families. Hopefully, they're still able to accomplish that," Mosby added.
Police haven't said how many people committed the car break-ins.
Detectives are reviewing the surveillance video in hopes it will help them catch possible suspects.