03/05/18 – Fulton County, NY – Man Steals Fire Department Brush Truck In New York – Drives It All The Way To Maryland – Arrested By Social Media Trail

Article Source: www.dailygazette.com

An Ephratah Volunteer Fire Department brush truck was stolen this week and driven to Maryland, police there said.

Police also arrested the man they say had the truck. The man told police he drove it there without permission to meet someone he met on social media, Cumberland, Maryland, police said.

Claude E. Bruce, 25, of Frankfort, Herkimer County, now faces a series of charges in Maryland and a grand larceny count in Fulton County.

Police in Cumberland received information just after midnight that the stolen brush truck was in their city. Brush trucks are generally large pickup trucks with boxes for gear in the back.

Police found the truck, then looked for Bruce. They found an online profile for him and then a Cumberland address near where the truck was found. Bruce eventually admitted to police he took the truck without permission, police said.

The truck is expected to be returned to Ephratah. Officials with the Ephratah department couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday, but Gazette news-gathering partner CBS6 Albany identified Bruce as a volunteer there.

Per protocol, the officer will be placed on administrative leave.