Steal Squad 90 once, shame on me. Steal it three times in two days…
The Tolar (TX) Volunteer Fire Department knows that mantra all too well, after its Squad 90 was taken for a joyride thrice in a span of 48 hours, reports hcnews.com.
Nineteen-year-old Granbury man Ethan Mac Dobelbower was arrested around 7 p.m. Tuesday and charged with seven felony counts in connection with the theft, officials say. Bail has not yet been set, and he will be arraigned later today, Thursday.
The charges include: three counts of burglary of a building (state jail felony); three counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (state jail felony); and one count of theft (second-degree felony). The report notes that there was no forced entry, and the theft charge applies to the fact that he did not return the truck the third time.
Police officials say Dobelbower broke into the station without permission and took a rescue truck for a drive three different times on Monday and Tuesday; the third time he left the apparatus at Tolar Elementary School, where it—along with the suspect nearby—was found.
Dobelbower has no affiliation with the fire department, and his motive remains unclear, according to the report.
Squad 90 has approximately $300,000 worth of equipment on board, the report says. However, no damage to the apparatus or its equipment has been detected.