A 27-year-old man broke into a firehouse, crashed through the bay doors and took a stolen fire truck speeding through Paulding County.
Firefighters at Station #3 were participating in a training session a few blocks from the firehouse Monday morning when Paulding County Fire Dispatch started receiving unauthorized distress transmissions over the department's secure radio network. A man was yelling, but the dispatcher was unable to understand what he was saying.
When she reached out to the firefighters at Station #3, they were surprised because the rescue truck was supposed to be parked at the fire station where they left it.
DAMAGE PHOTOS | Paulding Co. Fire truck stolen
DAMAGE PHOTOS | Paulding Co. fire rescue truck stolen
While they were training, Zackary Lee Paulk, 27, broke into the fire station and crashed his way through the doors with the stolen rescue truck.
Shortly after the unauthorized transmissions, 911 started getting phone calls from neighbors along Mt.Tabor Church Road. They were reporting a Fire Department vehicle driving erratically and speeding through the neighborhood.
The stolen fire truck crashed into several mail boxes and street signs before it crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another car.
With the wheels ripped apart, the truck ran off the road and got stuck in the mud. The suspect jumped out and tried to steal another vehicle at a house. When he was not successful, police said he went into the garage of that home where he was confronted by the homeowner.
The homeowner and neighbors held him until Paulding County deputies arrived to arrest him.
Paulk was transported to Paulding Wellstar Hospital for toxicology screening.
Photos | Mug shots
