Video: New Mexico State Police chase stolen fire truck

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A fire truck was stolen earlier this week in Corrales. Now, New Mexico State Police has shared video of the chase and the arrest that followed.

Video posted by state police on Facebook shows the stolen fire truck heading west on I-40, a short time after it was stolen while responding to a medical call. Corrales fire officials were worried.

“We were very concerned for the safety of people, and its lights and sirens are going,” said Tanya Lattin with the Corrales Fire Department. “We were very concerned about the possibility it might try to drive down the wrong side of the road.”

More than an hour west of Albuquerque, Laguna police deployed stop strips and finally got the driver to pull over into a gas station parking lot. Pictures show the truck and the blown tire – after the suspect drove into a wall.

Investigators said 35-year-old Dennis Chavez was inside the stolen fire truck. Fire officials said it was a strange situation.

“First of all, you’re gonna be seen, it was very strange for someone to get in a fire truck and steal it and then get on the radio and start talking,” Lattin said. “There’s water on board. It’s heavy. It’s got boxes on the side. So it’s loaded with all sorts of equipment and makes it harder and harder to maneuver.”

Chavez faces a long list of charges, including auto theft, fleeing an officer, resisting arrest and damage to property.

Court records show he is no longer in custody – on a $10,000 bond.