Man Steals Fire Vehicle, Causes Wrecks With Wild Driving

DALLAS, GA -- A Paulding County man is in custody after authorities say he stole a fire-department truck and drove it wildly, causing at least one accident.

At 9:55 a.m. Monday, Paulding County Fire Dispatch began receiving unauthorized transmissions over the department's secure radio network.

At about the same time, the 911 center reportedly started getting calls reporting a fire department vehicle driving erratically and at high speeds, damaging several road signs and mailboxes and crossing into oncoming traffic.

The fire truck caused at least one accident while swerving into oncoming traffic, authorities said in a news release.

It was then involved in a second accident, near 690 Mt. Tabor Church Rd. and was heavily damaged, the release said.

The driver, identified as 27-year-old Zachary Lee Paulk, tried to run away but was quickly caught by Paulding County Sheriff's deputies, the release said.

During the time of the incident, Paulding County Fire & Rescue staff were participating in training exercises several blocks away.

Officials say the robber forced his way into Fire Station No. 3 and stole the rescue vehicle by driving it through a bay door.

No injuries were reported in the incident.