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Thieves crash helicopter after trying to steal it from California airport

A file photo of a red-blue helicopter Bell 407GXP. | Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Thieves attempted to steal a helicopter but crashed it, damaging other aircraft at Sacramento Executive Airport, the FBI announced Wednesday.

Sacramento police officers responded to reports of helicopters being broken into at the airport early Wednesday morning. Officers found one helicopter that appeared to have been flown and crashed and multiple damaged aircraft.

Three helicopters were broken into, and the collision occurred between 4 and 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to Sacramento County Department of Airports spokesperson Scott Johnston.

"I would say there's major damage," Johnston said, referring to the helicopter that was apparently flown.

The airport and the FBI did not provide further details about any of the aircraft damaged in the crash, the suspects or the number of suspects involved. The incident was first reported by KCRA.

The FBI and the Sacramento Police Department say they are currently searching for the suspects.

Garrett Leahy can be reached at garrett@sfstandard.com