UPDATE: STOLEN APPARATUS IN CT –FOUND— AND SUSPECT IN CUSTODY. The vehicle was recovered this morning and a suspect is in custody. It was not damaged, but contained numerous other items stolen from the storage garage at the Essex firehouse. (Original story:)
There was an unusual theft in Essex (CT) when someone ripped off a truck used by the fire department yesterday.
According to Paul Fazzino, Chief of Department. someone broke into a garage behind the firehouse between 0300-0400 hours and stole the unit. It was spotted on Route-9 North a short time later. State and local police are also involved in the search and investigation.
The Essex FD utility vehicle was actually reported stolen at about 1300 hours Saturday (yesterday) …it had last been seen Thursday, in a secure spare garage behind the main firehouse on Saybrook Road. The vehicle is a 2006 GMC Sierra HD truck and is marked with "Essex Fire Dept." and white reflective stripes on both sides. The vehicle has a white roof, a light bar and a steel lift gate.
The four-door, three-quarter ton truck is marked with station details and is estimated to be worth about $45,000.
The utility vehicle was seen repeatedly early Saturday in the Essex and Old Saybrook area Saturday early in the morning. Anyone with information about the theft or the vehicle’s location is asked to call Coonecticut State Police Troop F at 860-399-2100.
