KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasClark County Firefighter-Paramedic Arrested on Multiple Charges
Samuel Bond
Bond served with the fire department for six years. He was stationed at Firehouse 12 on Industrial Road.A Clark County firefighter-paramedic is in custody accused of stealing morphine and valium from several firehouses. Police arrested 35-year-old Samuel Bond early Sunday morning.
Bond faces 22 charges stemming from 10 fire house burglaries that started in July. He faces a multitude of charges, which include burglary, possession of stolen property, burglary from a vehicle, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, attempted burglary, and possession of burglary tools.
Bond served with the fire department for six years. He was stationed at Firehouse 12 on Industrial Road. In 2005, he was injured on the job, had surgery and doctors prescribed him morphine for the pain. He then went back to work.
Fire department officials say starting last July someone broke into secured medical supplies at some six different fire stations and stole the drugs morphine and valium.
They caution the public to remember that at this time Bond is a suspect, and what has happened at the fire houses isn't a reflection of everyone at the department.
Scott Allison, with the Clark County Fire Department, said, "We're human. We get tied up in everyday life situations like everybody else does. And so obviously we want to give this brother of ours, a member of our department, all of the positive faith we can. At this point we are basically standing behind him until Metro concludes their investigation."
The firefighter-paramedic was placed on administrative leave without pay last Friday. He remains in police custody and a source told the I-Team Bond he is under suicide watch.
Investigators are being tight-lipped about what led them to Sam Bonds, but the I-Team does know a video of a suspect was recorded at one of the burglarized firehouses.
Morphine is a highly addictive narcotic. A person hooked on the drug becomes physically and psychologically dependant, needing higher and higher doses.
Metro is continuing the investigation. They are looking at everything, including whether the suspect was taking the drugs, or supplying them to others.
E-mail your comments to Investigative Reporter Adrienne Augustus.
