The truck has been out of service since damage to its 100-foot tower ladder was discovered during a training exercise in April, Chief Evan Hasko said Friday.  

Meadville has mutual aid agreements with both Saegertown and Vernon Central volunteer fire departments for use of their aerial fire trucks, if needed, Hasko said. Several of the cross members on the ladder were damaged, but when and how it happened were unknown, Hasko said.

The truck, a 1993 Sutphen aerial ladder truck, has been sent to FAST (Fire Apparatus Service Technicians) of the Allegheny Mountains of Somerset for repairs.

The Chevy Tahoe – painted bright red with markings indicating it is a Buffalo fire truck – was parked unlocked at 120 Church St. and running with its overhead lights flashing when Jakyle E. Foster, 23, allegedly took it for a ride.  

Buffalo police caught Foster in the 200 block of  Virginia Street, about eight minutes later. Officers found him parked in a driveway, where he had hit a 2001 Chevrolet Camaro also parked there. Foster appeared to be intoxicated, police said.

Foster was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and criminal possession of stolen property, both misdemeanors. He also was charged with second-degree harassment. Officers said he made repeated verbal threats while being arrested.