Heartless thieves steal $100,000 fire vehicle

'It's hard to get your head around it," CFA captain Steven Ellis said.

"I just can't believe people would do something like that."

The Toyota Hilux dual-cab ute with full Creswick CFA decals was stolen by two men during a burglary at the Albert Street station at 9.55pm on Saturday.

"We have to fundraise to get these Forward Command Vehicles," he said.

"We raise the money by doing checks on fire equipment maintenance - like extinguishers - and we also give out calendars to the community.

"They're free but we ask for a donation if possible.

"It's a good fundraiser for us - and it also means everyone in Creswick has emergency numbers in a convenient place."

Mr Ellis said the HiLux served as a 'mobile office' for incident controllers - and was used to convey information via radio. It also contained a small fridge with drinks and could carry equipment such as chainsaws.

"When Creswick firefighters were sent as strike teams to other areas, this vehicle would go with them," he said.

"Not having this now puts us behind the ball. We'll possibly have to go back to using a private vehicle, which may not have radios or be ideal for the job."

He begged anyone with information to come forward:

"Just reach out to police. Any little bit of info helps.

"I'd be good to get the vehicle back.

"To just destroy it is such a waste."

2pm update: Detectives said two men were seen leaving the fire brigade in the Hilux at 9.55pm Saturday.

The vehicle had the registration 1IG 2AI.

Moorabool detectives said no one was at the station at the time of the burglary.

Earlier: Heartless thieves have stolen a $100,000 Creswick fire brigade vehicle - and Moorabool detectives want to hear from anyone with information.

The 2016 Toyota Hilux is used as a Forward Command Vehicle and Creswick police said it contained a life-saving defibrillator as well as vital

The distinctive dual-cab ute was taken from the Albert Street fire station at 10pm on Saturday.

Creswick Senior Constable Peter Brown said at this stage it appeared nothing else was taken in the brazen burglary.

"Police are now studying CCTV from the site which we believe shows the offenders' activities," he said.

"This vehicle is fully marked and has CFA Creswick decals all over it.

"It's very conspicuous.

"(Taking this vehicle) is a stupid thing to do in many respects.

"It deprives the CFA of a resource in an emergency situation and also deprives them of a defibrillator."

Anyone who saw the ute should call Moorabool CIU at Bacchus Marsh Police station on 5366 4500.

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