VIDEO: The man suspected of stealing an Everett fire engine before driving off and causing damage throughout the city was arrested after being identified through DNA evidence. Detectives have referred the following charges against the 36-year-old to prosecutors: motor vehicle theft, 12 counts of hit and run of an unattended vehicle and six counts of hit and run of unattended property. He has not been formally charged.
“Stealing a fire engine is not only unlawful – it puts our community and our first responders at risk,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “I’m grateful to our Everett Police Department and partner agencies for their determined work identifying the suspect in this serious incident.” On July 18, 2025, a fire engine was stolen from the 2900 block of Hoyt Avenue while crews were on scene of a medical emergency. The person who stole the vehicle drove it at high speeds through north Everett, creating multiple crime scenes, according to police.
The suspect had the accelerator pressed “100% for most of the trip,” according to a statement of probable cause. The stolen fire truck carved a four-mile path of destruction through the north end of the city, striking parked cars, mailboxes, trees and other property. “The data from the fire truck showed the suspect never came to a complete stop from the time the truck was stolen until it was left at the final collision scene,” the statement reads.
The fire truck was found in the 1000 block of East Marine View Drive. A witness told police they saw a person running away from the scene. When police tried to get further information from the witness they never heard back. DNA swabs of the steering wheel were collected from the truck as the investigation continued. In December of 2025, a possible suspect was identified from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.
KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle
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