7/24/08

STATE POLICE RECOVER & INVESTIGATE THEFT

OF JEWETT CITY FIRE TRUCK

            On 07/24/08 at approximately 1230 am Troop E received a report from officials of the Jewett City Volunteer Fire Department that one of the department engine/tanker fire trucks was missing from the fire station. It was reported that the fire truck a 1992 Sparton Marion Engine/Tank Fire Truck is Valued at $700,000 was missing from the firehouse garage. The fire truck had been observed prior to the stolen vehicle report being files by a member of the fire department. At the time it was observed it was being operated northbound on Rt.395 in Griswold by an unknown subject.

All State Troopers in the area were notified via radio of the theft and began searching the area for the stolen fire truck. The stolen fire truck was located and recovered a short time later, undamaged, and abandoned behind a business in the town of Canterbury by State Troopers.

The State Police Major Crime Detectives responded to process the fire truck and to assist in this criminal investigation.

State Police Troopers continued to search the area for suspects and did locate a male subject on foot a short distance from where the fire truck was located.

The suspect admitted to Troopers that he did break into the fire station, stole the fire truck, taking it for a “joy ride”. Investigation did revealed that there were no other people involved into his theft The fire truck did not sustain any damage as a result of this incident.

The male suspect appeared to be in need of a medical evaluation. The suspect was transported to W.W. Backus Hospital for an Emergency examination.

The criminal investigation is continuing and an arrest is anticipated in this case,

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               Lt. J. Paul Vance