drunk driver allegedly stole a fire truck from northern Victoria overnight and took it on a joyride to New South Wales before the vehicle broke down early this morning, police say.
The 30-year-old man allegedly activated the $150,000 fire truck’s lights and sirens to flag down a passing truck when he could not re-start the vehicle on the Murray Valley Highway outside of Kerang about 4am today.
However the truck driver realised something was amiss and called police, who eventually intercepted the alleged thief who had since hailed a taxi and was heading home.
Advertisement: Story continues below Senior Constable Dean Closter from Kerang Police said the Country Fire Authority fire truck was stolen from the Lake Charm fire station about 1.30am today.
"He has allegedly stolen a truck and driven from Lake Charm to Murrabit, then he has gone to Koondrook, then Barham in NSW, before returning to Victoria and breaking down in the truck on the Murray Valley Highway just outside Kerang," Senior Constable Closter said.
"I reckon he has probably driven 150 kilometres."
"This is their main fire truck, which is a bit of a worry."
Senior Constable Closter said the alleged thief, who suffers from an intellectual disability, turned on the vehicle’s lights and sirens to flag down a passing truck.
"The truck driver knew everything wasn’t right so he just called police," Senior Constable Closter said.
Realising he was not going to get help, the man had walked about five kilometres into Kerang where he called a taxi and asked to be taken to his Lake Charm home.
However police stopped the taxi about 7.45am and spoke to the alleged offender.
"He has been interviewed there, a quick interview, where he has made admissions to stealing the truck," Senior Constable Closer said.
The man allegedly told police he had been drinking before stealing the truck, but could not be submitted for a breathalyser test because it had been three hours since he had allegedly driven.
The man was taken home and released into the care of his father.
He will be interviewed at a later date. No charges have been laid.
