Illinois Firefighter Facing Drug and Theft Charges

Posted by: Curt Varone March 24, 2024 0

An Illinois firefighter who broke into a vehicle at one Naperville Fire Department station, and stole drugs from the fire department’s prescription drug drop-box at a different station, has been arrested and formally charged with several offenses. Zachary Volland, 34, has been charged with burglary of a vehicle, theft, possession of a controlled substance, and official misconduct.

The drug theft reported occurred sometime between February 1, 2024 and February 10, 2024. The vehicle break-in occurred in February 10, 2024. Various news outlets are referring to Volland as being a former firefighter. According to WGN Channel 9, he resigned in late February while these incidents were being investigated.

The Chicago Sun Times quoted DuPage County state’s attorney Robert Berlin as saying:

  • The allegations against Mr. Volland are very serious.
  • I would like to stress however, that these allegations are levied against an individual and are in no way indicative of the Naperville Fire Department as a whole.
  • This appears to be an isolated incident and no other employees with the Naperville Fire Department were involved.
  • I thank the Naperville Fire Department for their assistance and cooperation in this matter as well as the Naperville Police Department for a prompt and extremely thorough investigation.
  • I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Helen Kapas for her work on this case.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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