Firetruck Stolen, Recovered In Anaheim After Slow-Speed Chase

IRVINE, CA — An Orange County Fire Authority ladder truck was stolen outside of UC Irvine Medical Center in the city of Orange, officials say.

One person was detained and then placed under arrest early Tuesday for the firetruck joyride, according to Anaheim Police. The name of the suspect has not been released as of this report.

Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta says that truck 85 was stolen shortly before 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, while paramedics were taking a patient to the hospital.

"As they were dropping off a patient at the hospital the truck was stolen," Barta said.

The suspect drove the ladder truck across several county freeways and toll roads, traveling through many Orange County communities in a slow-speed pursuit, including Fountain Valley and Irvine, before finally stopping in Anaheim near Ball Road and Brookhurst Street just after 3 a.m.

Reports say that the man who took the vehicle was homeless, and yet another homeless person halted the oncoming firetruck until the driver brought it to a halt. The relationship between the two homeless individuals is not yet known.

"Thank you for your help, step away," officers were heard saying on a video of the incident after the suspect left the vehicle.

The hoodie-wearing driver left the firetruck and complied with the police in a peaceful arrest.

Officers from the UC Irvine Police Department took the suspect into custody.

This report will be updated.